Mario Botta
Architect
Swiss architect whose work included the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Europa-Park Dome, the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center, and the Milan bus station, Vimercate.
He designed his first project, a two-family house, at age 16. He would launch an independent practice based in Lugano in 1970.
He designed various churches and cathedrals, often noted for using brick.
His family was residing in Mendrisio, Switzerland, when he was born. He later married and fathered three children.
He was influenced by Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, and Louis Kahn.