Riccardo Mariano grew up in Naples and currently resides in Berlin.
His work centres on the unexplored potential that lies between art and architecture. Through clear and inclusive ideas, his projects seek to question prevailing narratives, encourage civic engagement, and propose new models for more equitable and participatory public spaces.
After graduating in Architecture from the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio (AAM) in Switzerland, Riccardo joined the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Copenhagen, where he contributed to a wide range of international projects, deepening his architectural practice.
Since 2012, he has been part of the design team at Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin, where he collaborates on the design and realization of architectural experiments, permanent installations, and large-scale sculptures.
Alongside his work at the Studio, Riccardo has independently pursued art and architecture projects, earning international recognition and several awards.
Selected experience:
2014: Awarded the LAGI Green Cities Special Jury Prize for his design of the Herning Energy Promenade.
2015: Won two first prizes in the Wonderland: East Lake Tai international public art competition for his entries, Flying Bi and Tao Pavilion.
2016: Shortlisted and emerged as the winner in the competition to design a public artwork for Bloomberg Philanthropies in Gary, Indiana, with the entry, Gary's Vision.
2017: Second prize winner for Lasita Maja cabin competition.
2017: Collaborated as part of a design collective that realized the Stage for a Multimedia festival pavilion in Dnipro. The project received a special mention at the Prize for Urban Public Space in 2018 and was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2019.
2023: The Arch of Time was chosen by the City of Houston out of a shortlist of design concepts in the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) portfolio to be implemented at full scale.