Anna Bolla
A.Bolla - Dallo spazio alla mostra: la passione di progettare per creare esperienze
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Anna, aged 25, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture from SUPSI and now works as an assistant on the degree programme she completed. She also collaborates with the Institute of design, working on museography projects — an area in which she is deeply passionate and hopes to specialise.
Her professional goal? To focus on exhibit design, creating and staging exhibitions that engage audiences through carefully crafted narrative and spatial experiences.
Her professional goal? To focus on exhibit design, creating and staging exhibitions that engage audiences through carefully crafted narrative and spatial experiences.
What motivated you to choose the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture, and how did your expectations evolve throughout the study programme?
It was a real brainwave. In high school I studied languages, and then I started a History degree at university, but I felt that something was missing. I needed a more hands-on approach and the satisfaction that comes with actually “making” things. I looked for a path that would truly excite me, and interior architecture did exactly that.
First, I completed a few months' internship at a studio, and then I enrolled on the SUPSI Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture course. It was the best decision I could have made. I loved the combination of conceptual and practical subjects, and I developed a real passion for model-making.
At the beginning, I didn’t imagine how intense it would be, nor the nights spent at the Mendrisio Campus. However, it was precisely those challenges that taught me how to organise myself, manage my time, collaborate with others, and become independent.
Was there a project or a course that has been particularly significant for your education?
Three moments marked my educational journey at SUPSI.
The first was the Workshop in Cooperation (WoCO), which I completed in Ethiopia at the end of my second year. It was an intense and transformative experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally. Engaging with such a different context allowed me to shift my perspective, better understand the social value of architecture, and develop a deeper awareness of my role as a designer.
The second was a third-year atelier, which represented a real turning point for me. It was the moment when I began to feel more confident in my abilities, more aware of my choices, and equipped with a much clearer and more structured design vision.
Finally, museography projects played a fundamental role in my path. They allowed me to discover a field that brings together design, technical expertise, and craftsmanship—where the relationship between space, object, and narrative becomes central. Today, it is an area that feels deeply my own and one in which I want to continue growing.
My thesis project, developed in collaboration with the Institute of design at SUPSI and the Museo cantonale di storia naturale, represents the synthesis of this interest. It evolved into a concrete project and a real exhibition—an experience that was truly exciting. Seeing an academic project transformed into an actual exhibition gave me a great sense of satisfaction and awareness.
Today, through my collaboration with the Institute of design, I work on museography projects: it is an excellent training ground for the future and has made it clear to me that this is the field in which I want to build my career. Museography combines design, research, technical expertise, and spatial storytelling—it is the area in which I see myself growing professionally in the coming years.
What was your experience of transitioning from being a student to becoming an Assistant in the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture, and how does your experience as a student influence your work today?
The transition was unexpected and a significant shift in perspective. Returning to the same programme in a different role means becoming a point of reference: not a teacher, but an approachable and knowledgeable presence who can guide students through their journey. I see this role as an opportunity to 're-live' the Bachelor's programme with fresh eyes and a greater awareness.It is also an opportunity to explore areas that I could not fully engage with as a student. I observe lessons, exams and faculty work to better understand the challenges students face and how I can support them effectively. My personal experience enables me to empathise with their workload and the challenges they face, and to support and encourage them when needed.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts at SUPSI in Interior Architecture?
The main advice is to truly want it. The Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture is a demanding programme that requires time, consistency, and a lot of energy. There will be moments of fatigue and doubt—this is normal—but with passion, you approach them differently.
It’s important to be confident in your choice and aware of the commitment it entails. Doing thorough research, attending Open Days, and understanding whether it’s really the right path for you is essential. With motivation, this programme can offer immense rewards, both professionally and personally.