Today, the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) revealed that after almost 15 years, organization director Mirko Zardini will step down and be replaced by Giovanna Borasi, the CCA's current chief curator. Borasi, who has held her role since 2014, will assume her new position in January 2020 according to a press release from the CCA.
"Mirko upheld my original mission and then took it further by transforming the model of research at the CCA, strategically growing its collection, diversifying its audience, and taking bold strides into the digital realm," said the CCA founder Phyllis Lambert, Hon. FAIA, in the same release. "Throughout his tenure, he and Giovanna Borasi worked to create and contribute to contemporary research and debate on architecture."
Before becoming the chief curator of the CCA, Borasi studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan and served as and editor for the quarterly architectural magazine Lotus International and as deputy editor in chief of the monthly architectural design magazine Abitare. She also curated for the Milan Triennale in 2003 and for the Italian Pavilion in the 9th Architecture Biennale in Venice in 2004. Her work for the CCA began in 2005 when she assumed the role of curator for contemporary architecture.
"It is thrilling to anticipate assuming directorship of the CCA and I very much look forward to leading the institution into its next phase," Borasi said in the same release. "I am deeply appreciative of the confidence expressed by the Board of Trustees with respect to my appointment. I am also grateful to Phyllis Lambert for her inspiration and constant support. I would especially like to thank Mirko Zardini, with whom I have closely worked in different roles over many years, for his leadership and institutional vision. Building on the CCA's foundation, he has created the conditions for the CCA to become an independent platform, recognized today worldwide for its critical voice in the discourse on architecture."
Zardini will officially step down on Dec. 31.
