Born in Mendrisio in 1932, Snozzi graduated from the federal technology institute ETH Zurich. He worked in Locarno (1958), Zurich (1975-88) and Lausanne (1988), and collaborated with Mario Botta, Tita Carloni, Aurelio Galfetti, Bruno Jenni (his brother-in-law) and Livio Vacchini.
He taught at the federal technology institutes in Zurich and Lausanne (EPFL), as well as at various universities and schools of architecture in Switzerland and abroad.
“The aim of teaching architecture is not simply the forming of brilliant and skilful architects, but rather that of intellectual critics endowed with a moral conscience,” Snozzi said during his inaugural lecture at the EPFL in 1987.
In 1996 he represented Switzerland at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. In 2018 he was awarded the Meret Oppenheim Prize.
Role of the city
Snozzi’s buildings, often realised in exposed concrete, always strive for a relationship with the city.
“I would say the biggest problem today for architects is the city, and for that reason it is important in architectural education to start with the problem of the city,” he said in an interview with the AEFoundationExternal link.
“Whereas usually in education one starts with a small project – a little house or something like that – I think that instead I would rather start with giving them a piece of the city to design. You first have to learn about the city and then you can do a house because that is in a sense out of context with the city and it’s the most difficult project because every single room has different requirements; living room, bedroom, kitchen and so on.”
His most famous works include the Snider and Cavalli houses in Verscio; his urban planning projects include the redevelopment of the convent area in Monte Carasso.
“Any intervention implies destruction,” he once said. “Destroy consciously, and with joy.”
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
UBS has cut 10,000 jobs since Credit Suisse takeover in 2023
This content was published on
UBS Group has cut more than 10,000 roles since it bought Credit Suisse, marking a milestone in the lender’s efforts to integrate its former rival.
Swiss multinational SGS to move HQ from Geneva to Zug
This content was published on
The Swiss multinational SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, plans to move its headquarters from Geneva to canton Zug in central Switzerland.
Swiss army takes part in international tank competition
This content was published on
Around 20 Swiss army personnel and two Leopard 2 tanks are taking part in an international tank competition in Grafenwöhr, Germany, this week.
Omega-3 supplements seem to slow ageing process, Swiss study finds
This content was published on
Taking a daily omega-3 supplement appears to slow down the rate of biological ageing by up to four months, according to a study by researchers at the University of Zurich.
This content was published on
The Swiss writer and translator Alain Claude Sulzer has been awarded the Solothurn Literary Days Prize 2025 for his lifetime's work.
Prix de Lausanne features 85 dancers from 23 countries
This content was published on
The 53rd Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition is underway. A total of 85 young dancers from 23 countries are competing in the Swiss city.
Swiss Solidarity charity collected CHF34 million in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), raised CHF34.4 million ($37.7 million) in donations in 2024 and spent CHF63 million on humanitarian projects.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss architect Marcel Meili dies days after winning top honour
This content was published on
Last week, the Swiss Federal Office of Culture had bestowed the Swiss Grand Award for ArtExternal link / Prix Meret Oppenheim prize on Meili and fellow architect Markus Peter. In issuing the award, the jury wrote that it wished to “honor the energy – heroic and ambitious, at the same time humble – that they devote to…
This content was published on
Swiss engineer Christian Menn, a world-class bridge-builder who continued a long tradition of Swiss bridge construction, died on Monday aged 91.
Le Corbusier’s works listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites
This content was published on
UNESCO added the architectural works of Le CorbusierExternal link – buildings in Switzerland, France, India and Argentina, among others – at the 40th session of the body’s World Heritage Committee on Sunday. An image of Le Corbusier – his horn-rimmed glasses raised to his forehead – has adorned the Swiss ten-franc note since 1997. “A…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.