Massimiliano Burgi
He was born in Matera on 31st July 1972. After graduating from artistic college, he earned his degree in architecture from the University of Florence, where he also attended the La Pira International Centre, a training ground for life with the belief that a united world is possible. Returning to Matera, he worked as an architect with IPOGEA, an Education Centre on Knowledge and Traditional Techniques, flanking architect Pietro Laureano in the drafting and creation of Italian projects, from which he discovered a scientific reading of the ancient cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera, that was interwoven with a love for the Ancient Neighbourhoods imparted by his father on long Sunday strolls.
Impassioned by working freelance, Massimiliano commenced operating as an architect in the field of restoration and salvaging of common and historical-monumental architecture, utilising traditional and innovative construction systems. Massimiliano places particular emphasis on water harvesting systems. He participates in conferences on traditional systems and processes of desertification. He has published texts and articles on the salvaging of the landscape, architecture of the past and desertification.
In 2009, he was appointed a member of the Technical-Scientific Committee of the Natural History Archaeological Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, in the role of landscape architect. In Saudi Arabia's Riyadh for a presentation in June 2010 on the architectural system of Sassi di Matera, he discovered the fascinating Islamic world. In September 2011, Massimiliano participated in Tokyo, the first city he loved as a child, attending a work session on sustainable architecture promoted by the International Union of Architects. From 2012 to 2015, he has carried out the role of strict tutor for the graduation course in Architecture at the University of Basilicata.
In 2008, Massimiliano was among the group to propose the idea of nominating Matera for the title of European Capital of Culture 2019, seeing in this candidacy the chance for growth for Matera, for the Basilicata region and for the entire south. He thus commenced, firstly, by joining the Matera 2019 Association and then by working with the Matera 2019 Committee, dedicating himself, together with his colleagues and with all their hearts, so that the citizens of Matera and Basilicata may feel that they too are protagonists and participants in the candidacy pathway. He currently works with the Matera-Basilicata 2019 Foundation, focused on the citizen and city dimension.
Besides to his family, in his free time Massimiliano is devoted to cooking, reading and freestyle swimming.
