Mario Botta was born on April 1 in Mendrisio (Canton of Ticino, Switzerland).

Attends primary school in Genestrerio and secondary school in Mendrisio.

Apprenticeship as a draughtsman in the offices of architects Carloni and Camenisch in Lugano.

Attends the Liceo artistico in Milan.

Studies at the University Institute for Architecture (IUAV) in Venice.

Practical training in the Le Corbusier architect’s office in Venice. Works on a project for a new hospital (together with Julian de la Fuente and José Oubrerie). – Practical training in the Paris architect’s office of Le Corbusier (rue de Sèvres 35).

Meets Louis Kahn in Venice. Participates in the preparation of the exhibition presenting the project for the new Palace of Congress – diploma at the IUAV in Venice, his referees are Carlo Scarpa and Giuseppe Mazzariol. – Mario Botta opens his own architect’s office in Lugano.

Guest professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne.

Member of the Federal Arts Commission.

Honorary Fellow of the Association of German Architects (BDA).

Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, AIA.

Beton 85 Prize for Architecture.

Chicago Architecture Award. – The Museum of Modern Art in New York devotes an exhibition to Mario Botta.

Guest professor at the Yale School of Architecture in New Haven, Connecticut.
“Baksteen” Award of the Royal Dutch Brick Organization.
CICA-Preis (Comité International des Critiques d’Architecture).
Entrant in the International Architecture Biennale in Buenos Aires.
Honorary professor at the CAYC School in Buenos Aires.

Corresponding member for Switzerland at the Académie d’Architecture in Paris. Receives the highest award from the Iside-e-Cesare Lavezzari Foundation in Chiasso.