OBR Open Building Research

OBR Open Building Research was established by Paolo Brescia and Tommaso Principi in 2000 to investigate new ways of contemporary living, creating a design network between Milan, London and Mumbai.

The Team of OBR develops its experimental line through the participation in international projects concerning public-private social programs. Their research investigates urban design promoting - through architecture - the sense of community and the individual identities.

The founding partners Paolo and Tommaso worked together with Renzo Piano. They combine their professional experience with the academic world as guest lecturers at universities in Europe and Asia, such as Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio, Kent State University, Helsinki Aalto University, University of Oulu, Academy of Architecture of Mumbai, College of Architecture of Pune, Mimar Sinan Fine Art University of Istanbul, Hacettepe University in Ankara and Politecnico di Milano. Paolo is professor of architectural design at University of Genoa.

OBR’s projects have been featured in international exhibitions, including at 10th Biennale di Architettura, Venice 2006; Architecture: Where to, London 2007; V Bienal de Arquitetura, Brasilia 2007; XI Bienal Internacional de Arquitectura, Buenos Aires 2007; AR Award Exhibition, Berlin 2008; China International Architectural Expo, Beijing 2009; International Expo, Shangai 2010; UIA 24th World Congress of Architecture, Tokyo 2011; International Green Building Summit, Istanbul 2012; Energy at MAXXI, Rome 2013; Italy Now, Bogotá 2014; Small Utopias, Johannesburg 2014 and 14° Biennale di Architettura, Venice 2014.

OBR has been awarded with AR Awards honourable mention for Emerging Architecture at the RIBA Royal Institute of British Architects in London, 2007; Plusform award for Best architecture realised by young architect under 40, 2008; Urbanpromo by INU Istituto Nazionale Urbanistica, 2008; Gold Medal finalist for Italian Architecture at Triennale di Milano, 2009; Europe 40 Under 40 in Madrid, 2010; In/Arch and Ance premium in Rome for the best completed project in Italy designed by young architect, 2011; Leaf Award overall winner in London, 2011; WAN Award Residential in London, 2011; Green Good Design Award in Chicago, 2012; Ad’A Award for Italian Architecture, 2013 and Building Healthcare Award for Best International Design in London, 2014.