Belonging through architecture: Alberto Menozzi’s Pointillisme
Explore the architect's vision for reconnecting people
Inspiration behind
In the wake of a period defined by isolation and social distance, architect Alberto Menozzi embarked on a project where design inspires reconnection. His project, Pointillisme, reimagines public spaces conceptually, transforming solitude into a vibrant framework that brings community to the forefront. Alberto sees Pointillisme not as a place but as a replicable method that encourages people to rediscover shared spaces in harmony with nature. His vision creates a “carpet of functions,” a public space where varied activities coexist, welcoming everyone to participate.
“Idea often begins with observing what’s around us,” Menozzi explains. For him, inspiration struck during the summers of 2020 and 2021 when public parks worldwide adopted circles as social-distancing measures amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The circles – neutral zones intended to keep people apart – unexpectedly unified cities with a common design element. These defined circles became powerful elements of land art, aligning diverse places within a cohesive visual language. As he watched people in these marked circles, he saw potential for isolated spots to be transformed into a dynamic community, something more connected and profound.
Shaping the idea
At the heart of Pointillisme is a design language influenced by the pointillist art of painters like Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Just as these artists deconstructed reality into individual dots to recreate scenes, Menozzi’s circles become the building blocks of a social landscape.
With each circle representing a functional module, the design encourages diverse activities within the space. The modules, organized from “quietest to loudest,” include areas for studying, relaxation, dining, play, and performance. By applying some possible “deformers” (to distort, to sunk, to flatten, to extrude, and to lift) the heterogeneity of the combinations increases. Each strip within the circular grid is carefully crafted to inspire interaction: study areas offer tables for focused work, relaxation zones invite people to lounge, and dining spaces gather visitors around shared tables. The playful flexibility of these modular circles allows Pointillisme to be adapted for any community.
Visualizing possibilities
To visualize Pointillisme and experiment with its layered complexities, Menozzi turned to Lumion. “Lumion lets me test concepts quickly with immediate previews in various seasons, times of day, and weather conditions,” he shares. This flexibility allowed Menozzi to see Pointillisme in all of its potential, imagining how it might look on a crisp autumn day or under a gentle snowfall. “It’s not just a finalization software — it’s a workflow instrument,” he says. Lumion’s ability to integrate environmental elements like rain, fog, and seasonal colors added essential dimensions to Alberto’s project, allowing him to envision the evolution over time.
From sketch to reality
Menozzi’s design process is rooted in the simplicity of sketching, a practice that he sustains from the early stages to the final stages of each project. “Sketching is foundational,” he notes, “but at a certain point, renderings become crucial for seeing the design take form.” With Lumion, Menozzi brought the idea to life, using it to test and refine his project’s visual impact. The challenge was in staying true to his original constraints — ensuring each module retained its purpose while staying cohesive.
Alberto Menozzi
Architect
Lumion lets me quickly test concepts with immediate previews in various seasons, times of day, and weather conditions.
Vision for the future
For Menozzi, architecture will continue to engage in dialogue with people, adapting to the changing needs and spirits of the times. “Architecture has always spoken to people, absorbing and sometimes challenging the status quo,” he reflects. Moving forward, he believes sustainability, reuse, and AI will become key influences in design, especially as climate change reshapes the built environment.
When asked about trends in architecture, Menozzi is less interested in surface-level styles and more inspired by structures that tell meaningful stories. “I admire buildings that resonate with their context and offer something unexpected,” he says. It’s this focus on narrative and purpose that drives Menozzi’s work, ensuring that projects like Pointillisme do more than beautify a space—they create places that invite, connect, and inspire.
Through Pointillisme, Alberto has created a space that reflects our complex times. By transforming circles of isolation into symbols of gathering and belonging, he invites us to rethink how we connect with each other and the spaces we share together.
Design with intention
Inspired by Alberto's profound project? Try rendering your own designs for free with a 14-day Lumion Pro trial.
The meaning of color
Color plays a vital role in bringing Menozzi’s concept to life. In Pointillisme, all the vibrant shades help make the experience visually engaging and intuitive, simultaneously distinguishing functions. The circles become much more than aesthetic choices; they embody movement and personal space.
Design that unites
Alberto Menozzi’s Pointillisme shows how architecture can transform simple shapes into powerful symbols of unity between people and spaces. The project is a stellar example of detailed and meaningful consideration of communities and people when it comes to design.
Inspired by his work? With Lumion, you can bring your own designs to life, testing them across seasons and settings to see their full potential.
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