The Unity of Imagination and Utility

Oscar Dante Benini - one of the leading Contemporary Italian architects. His company - Dante O. Benini & Partner Architects ranks among the world’s 100 most influential architectural firms according to “Forbes” and among of 50 - the best in Europe. The disciple of such recognized modernism masters of the twentieth century, as Bruno Zevi, Carlo Scarpa and Oscar Niemeyer (under auspices of him Benini made thesis project in Sao Paulo, Brazil), Italian architect for several decades successfully developed the most relevant architectural themes of our time. Among his works are plans of entire city quarters and industrial centers of great groups, high-rise office towers, and renovation projects of historic buildings, laboratories and trade spaces, till exclusive clubs, houses, yachts and pieces of design, all over the world. Various buildings typologies with a very wide geography of his works (Italy, Holland, UAE , Turkey, Monte Carlo, Russia, China and others), clearly demonstrates the tremendous professional opportunities and tremendous experience of this master. Having arrived in Russia to prepare for a new project, Mr. Benini has kindly agreed to answer some questions of our magazine.

What is the purpose of your visit?
We are in Russia for working at a new project. We came together with one of the great Italian contemporary artists Mario Arlati, who works with color and materials. The relationship between architecture and this artistic image it is created and comes from is the most direct. So Mr. Arlati - one of the most subtle feeling professionals in this field. I love working with him and I hope that our Moscow project will also be interesting.

Could you elaborate on what do you plan to do in Moscow?
Since it only general ideas and I won’t go into details ahead of time. During this visit we hope to get preliminary impressions of Moscow architecture, to realize what would be interesting to create it in this environment. I believe in the synthesis of art and architecture, not only in the past, but in the modern world, so for me it is so important to work together with architects as well as with artists.

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Text by MARIANNA MAEVSKaYa , photos by Dante O. Benini & Partners Architects