Massimo d’Alessandro is the founder and Creative Director of MdAA.

An architect, designer, university professor, he began his career as a designer within the Roman radical architecture movement; a companion of many renowned artists, he has always been connected to the world of contemporary art. His work has always been driven by a deep open-minded approach to the world changes explored through his great interests – architecture, art, and environmental issues – striving for the highest quality in all his endeavours.

From 1965 to 1975, he was a member of Studio STASS, alongside Giorgio Ciucci and Mario Manieri-Elia. During this period, he entered the contemporary art scene, founding a gallery in 1974, later partnering with Ugo Ferranti. From 1975 to 1978, the D’ALESSANDRO-FERRANTI Gallery became a key national and international venue, hosting exhibitions by artists such as R. Morris, Schifano, D. Buren, G. Paolini, and R. Tuttle. 

In 1977, Massimo secured a professorship in Industrial Design at the Faculty of Architecture at Sapienza University, dedicating the next decade to teaching and scientific research. He also founded and coordinated the PhD programme in Architectural Technology. In 1988, he was one of the winners of the university professor competition for the expansion of the Faculty of Architecture at Valle Giulia, and in 1990, he resumed his professional practice, as a designer, by founding MdAA Architetti Associati, where he continues to serve as Creative Director. His work has been featured in numerous Italian and international publications.

Francesco Sorrentino is the Chief Operating Officer of MdAA and, since 2021, has formally served as its Sole Director. He is the studio’s driving force, Known for his excellent organisational skills, he oversees the development of complex projects, coordinating the various professionals involved. In his private life, Francesco channels his creativity into hands-on craftsmanship, restoring furniture and objects, often revealing a poetic touch.

He began working while still pursuing his university studies and joined MdAA in 2004, becoming a partner in 2016. From the beginning, he has been especially involved in projects’ detailed and executive stages. Francesco also manages the firm’s relationships with public authorities, handling the approval processes for several key projects. Notably, he oversaw MdAA’s role as the public liaison for the Campofranco Urban Redevelopment Project, a significant 4,000 sqm historical site in Bolzano, for which MdAA won an invitation-only design competition. Construction began in 2017. More recently, he has managed the administrative procedures for the restoration and renovation of Palazzo Falconieri (Borromini) in Rome, a project currently in the design phase in collaboration with ZDA firm from Budapest.In 2023, Francesco led the formal establishment of MDAA Contractor, a specialised structure aimed at delivering high-quality projects with in-house project management and oversight. This was achieved through the careful selection of highly skilled artisans from a range of specialisations, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship.

Paolo Pannocchi is a long-term partner at MdAA. As an architect and designer, he has developed significant expertise in large-scale urban planning, driven by his keen interest in and in-depth study of the historical urban evolution of major European cities, particularly Rome, where he was born and continues to live.

He began his professional journey in 1982, concentrating on the design and redevelopment of historical areas in Rome. In 1987, he was part of the team responsible for the Fontana Massimina and Giardino di Ponte Milvio, both of which were winners in a competition to redevelop key green spaces in the city centre. In addition to his urban design work, Paolo has also pursued interior and furniture design. He began collaborating with MdAA in 1990, becoming a partner shortly thereafter, and continues to play an active role in the firm. Throughout his career, Paolo has maintained close ties with the academic world, consistently collaborating with universities.

Antonio Luchetta is a partner and the Project & Technologies Leader at MdAA, responsible for the development of the technologically complex aspects of all the firm’s projects. As an architect and designer, he applies his extensive knowledge of architectural technology to meticulously develop detailed solutions that are both elegant and original. Antonio’s deep curiosity for the construction and invention of objects extends into his personal life, where he creates lamps from unusual and reclaimed materials in his spare time.

He joined MdAA in 1997 after completing his university studies and quickly distinguished himself through his technical reliability and ability to manage architectural details with finesse. Since then, he has been involved in the executive design and construction phases of many of the firm’s projects, including various wineries, Telecom’s laminated glass booths, and the pedestrian bridge at Villa Doria Pamphili (1999-2000), developed in collaboration with Ove Arup & Partners. In 2020, he began working with Pikler on the execution of the glass structure for a restaurant located in Piazza Walter, Bolzano.

Susanna Mirza is a partner and the Concept Design Leader at MdAA. An architect and PhD, she oversees the research and conceptual foundation of the firm’s projects. In 2024, she was appointed as a Professor of Public Space Design at the Faculty of Architecture at Sapienza University. With a doctorate in ICAR13, Susanna spent nearly a decade engaged in research and teaching at the DPTA Department of Sapienza University, specialising in Interior, Exhibit, and Public Design.

Her professional career began with a focus on interior design and the transformation and expansion of existing structures, particularly those of historical and artistic significance, primarily for private clients. Notably, from 2006 to 2009, she led the executive phase of the restoration and conversion of the Isabella Guglielmi Park and Castle. From 2013 to 2023, she consolidated her professional career with Meps Energiaeambiente, developing designs for workspaces, communal areas, and biotechnology research and production facilities at the Castel Romano Technopole for Reithera Srl. During this period, she also maintained an ongoing collaboration with MdAA Architetti Associati, becoming a partner in 2016.

Federica Fornari is an architect, specialized in Interior Architecture and Design.
Her professional activity develops with a focus on interior architecture with special emphasis on the aesthetic pursue of materials and proportions.
She travelled worldwide for work and for personal interest and inspiration. She speaks fluently Italian, French, English and Spanish.
She has always been interested in art and philosophy related to architectural practice.

She started her professional activity during her studies at Arch. Michele Tonci Ottieri’s firm Adoc, then continuing her career with Arch. Clemente Busiri Vici.
From 1995 to 2000, she worked for the interior decorator and set designer Giorgio Pes on projects for private residences, villas, hotels and offices in Italy, Europe, North Africa and Middle East. While engaged on such assignments she was responsible for the project management, addressing both the architectural and custom decoration, following the work of the specialized craftsmen, up to the final delivery.

Since 2001 she has been running her own activity expanding it to custom design of furniture and objects. She participated in various Design Fairs and a number of her projects featured in specialized magazines (AD and Ville e Casali).

In 2018 she started the professional collaboration with MdAA.