Icona Architetti Associati is an architecture and design studio founded in Milan in 2013 by the duo Marco Orto and Federica Poggio. Heirs to the modern lesson of the Italian masters of the 20th century and aware of the suggestions of the contemporary, Icona claims an immersive and humanistic approach to design.
Their work always originates from a dialogue: human and sensory, with people and contexts. Icona embraces a wide range of operational scales, from master plan to product design, thanks to a vast network of collaborators. Materials are given a central role: this is the idea of “Icona Touch,” a multisensory concept in which optical and haptic come together in a single experience. The axiom of fluidity is also part of Icona’s fundamentals. The ability to modulate space according to seasons and functions is the method used to create flexible eco-systems. Fluidity that, together with the curved line, symbolizes the true signature of Icona Associated Architects.
Marco has been passionate about the world of architecture since he was a kid and succeeded in realizing his dream in 2008 when he became an architect. He graduated from Polytechnic University of Milan with Stefano Boeri as his mentor. He previously worked with Blast Architects in 2007 to gain experience in various residential facilities and exhibition pavilions. One of the most notable projects was Kilometro Rosso in Bergamo. In 2009 he moved to Florence, where he worked on various projects at Archea Studio, including the Tornabuoni Gallery in Florence, the Metropolitan center in Livorno, Antinori Winery in Bargino. His ability to manage complex projects and work effectively with the team, allowed him to be promoted as a project manager in the Milanese office of Archea Studio in 2010. His most notable projects include the Italian Clinic in Cunardo (Varese), various villas on Lake Laveno, an hotel in Tianjin, Shangri-La Winery in Penglai and Colle Loreto Residences in Lugano. Each of these projects required advanced planning and coordination of a variety of international and diverse workforces.
In 2013, he founded his own studio, Icona Architetti Associati, with Federica Poggio.
After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Genoa in 2010, Federica received her PhD in architecture and design from the same institution in 2016. Her desire to gain a wealth of residential and public projects experience and in depth on-site construction knowledge, led her to write her research thesis in Beijing and on the island of Hainan in 2009. At the same time, she started working for Archea Studio in Beijing and Shanghai on a variety of international projects including UBPA Pavilion B3-2 for Expo 2010, Parkour-Beijing and the Li Ling World Ceramic Art City in Changsha, and spent a final year studying the development of the city of Hong Kong. Back in Italy with Archea Studio in 2011, she followed a number of high-profile projects across Italy, including the expansion of the Perfetti manufacturing facility (“The Candy Factory”) in Lainate. In 2012 she had the opportunity to work on a luxury Swiss Residence, Colle Loreto in Lugano with Marco Orto, who later became her partner in both private and professional life. After a few months, they opened their own architecture firm, Icona Architetti Associati.
In 2013 Federica mastered a design specialization at the University of Milan with the project “Healing Gardens”: a detailed study of therapeutic green in healthcare facilities.
She was able to successfully translate this project into a teaching contract at the University of Architecture and Design of Genoa.
Since 2016, she has been focusing full-time on Icona’s projects and activities.
In 2008, Domenico graduated from Polytechnic University of Bari, with a degree in architecture. Shortly after his graduation, he began working at Archea Studio in Milan, developing primarly concepts and projects to attend design and architectural competitions. Over time, his role at Archea Studio grew significantly and he managed domestic projects such as the CDD in Seregno (Monza e Brianza) and the Area of mons. Natale Basilico in Merate, gaining valuable experience in the industry. In August 2011, he became the Chief Architect of Archea Brasil, where he gained invaluable skills and knowledge being responsible for the construction of a residential building in San Paolo and an office of a well-known Brazilian investment firm. In 2012 he moved back to Milan and continued working at Archea, Milan to design Lugano’s Colle Loreto Residence with the team of Marco Orto and Federica Poggio. In 2014, he left Archea Studio to work on the Kering Group office building and the new Prada showroom in Milan.
He has been working with Icona Architetti Studio since 2019.
Pietro Molinari, Francesca d’Andrea di Pescopagano, Andrea Natali, Denis Migliore, Raffaella Poggio, Sara Vergani, Ishani Dogra
