We specialize in urban regeneration (transforming districts and territories), building regeneration (adaptive reuse of existing structures), landscape architecture, and architecture. Our integrated practice addresses projects from territorial scale to building detail. We have particular expertise in contexts requiring sensitivity to heritage, sustainability, and complex stakeholder environments.

Our headquarters is in Cadenazzo, Ticino, Switzerland. We have additional offices in Geneva, Zurich, and Portugal's Douro Valley. This geographic spread allows us to serve clients across Switzerland's linguistic regions and in Portugal.

atelier ribo+ was founded in 1998 by Christian Rivola. We have over 25 years of continuous practice, with a portfolio spanning hundreds of completed projects across multiple countries.

Our team includes over 25 professionals: architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and support staff. This scale allows us to handle significant projects while maintaining the personal attention that distinguishes our practice.

Urban regeneration addresses territories and districts—transforming areas like former industrial zones into new mixed-use neighborhoods. Building regeneration focuses on individual structures—adapting existing buildings for contemporary use through rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. We offer both services and frequently combine them in comprehensive projects.

Yes. While we handle complex large-scale projects, we also value smaller commissions that allow direct engagement with individual clients. Single-family houses, garden designs, and interior renovations remain important parts of our practice.

We design both new buildings and interventions in existing ones. Our Architecture service addresses new construction; our Building Regeneration service addresses existing structures. Many projects combine both—new construction alongside rehabilitation of existing buildings.

We provide interior architecture as part of our standard service: spatial organization, material specification, built-in elements. For comprehensive interior design including furniture selection and decorative elements, we can collaborate with specialized interior designers or recommend trusted partners.

Projects begin with an initial consultation, usually a meeting at our office or your site. We discuss your objectives, visit the site if relevant, and assess whether our capabilities match your needs. If there is mutual interest, we prepare a proposal outlining scope, approach, timeline, and fees.

Most design projects use percentage-of-construction-cost fees aligned with SIA standards. Consulting projects typically use hourly or fixed-fee arrangements. We provide transparent fee proposals before engagement and update cost projections as projects develop.

Timelines vary significantly. A residential renovation might complete in 12-18 months; a complex urban regeneration may span 10+ years. We establish realistic schedules during project initiation and maintain them through disciplined project management.

Our team works fluently in Italian, German, French, English, and Portuguese. This multilingual capability serves clients across Switzerland's linguistic regions and in Portugal.

Sustainability is embedded in our practice, not an add-on service. We prioritize regeneration of existing buildings over demolition, specify low-carbon materials, design for energy efficiency, and create landscapes that support biodiversity. Many projects achieve Minergie or equivalent certifications.

We follow SIA standards for Swiss projects and equivalent professional standards elsewhere. Our quality management includes senior review of all design decisions, thorough documentation, and active construction oversight. Professional liability insurance covers our work.

Yes. We are members of SIA (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects) and OTIA (Order of Engineers and Architects of Canton Ticino). These memberships confirm our professional qualifications and ethical commitments.