Simone Sfriso on Social Architecture, Failure, and the Venice Biennale
Simone Sfriso, co-founder of TAMassociati, discusses the firm's two-decade journey into social architecture in an interview for the Past, Present, Future project. The studio, now active in Bologna, Trieste, and Paris, began by offering pro-bono services to volunteer organizations and NGOs, focusing on projects in the Global South. Sfriso notes that 20 years ago, social architecture was considered a bizarre idea. TAMassociati has worked across Africa and the Middle East with NGOs like Emergency, building health facilities in Sudan, the Central African Republic, Uganda, and the Valeria Solesin Maternity Center in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley. The firm prioritizes simple, economical, and maintainable solutions. In 2016, TAMassociati curated the Italian Pavilion at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, directed by Alejandro Aravena, exploring the theme of common goods through ten declinations, each paired with an Italian company. Sfriso describes the experience as extraordinary and believes these themes will grow in importance over the next 10–15 years.
Key facts
- TAMassociati operates in Bologna, Trieste, and Paris.
- The studio collaborates with pro-bono associations, volunteer organizations, foundations, and NGOs.
- Sfriso states an architect cannot choose their client but can choose their area of work.
- TAMassociati has worked in Africa and the Middle East with Emergency.
- Projects include health facilities in Sudan, Central African Republic, Uganda, and Afghanistan.
- The Valeria Solesin Maternity Center is located in the Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan.
- Social architecture was considered a bizarre idea 20 years ago.
- TAMassociati curated the Italian Pavilion at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2016.
- Alejandro Aravena was the artistic director of the 2016 Biennale.
- The Italian Pavilion explored ten declinations of common goods, each with an Italian company.
- Sfriso believes the themes of common goods will become more important in the next 10–15 years.
- The interview is part of the Past, Present, Future project by Itinerant Office.
Entities
Artists
- Simone Sfriso
- Alejandro Aravena
Institutions
- TAMassociati
- Emergency
- Itinerant Office
- Past, Present, Future
- Artribune
- Valeria Solesin Maternity Center
- Italian Pavilion
- Venice Architecture Biennale
Locations
- Bologna
- Trieste
- Paris
- Africa
- Middle East
- Sudan
- Central African Republic
- Uganda
- Afghanistan
- Panjshir Valley
- Venice