Mattia Antonio Acito (b. Matera, 16 June 1957) graduated in architecture from the University of Florence on 14 April 1983.
He works in the following areas: renewal of urban spaces, restoration, interior renovation and architecture, temporary exhibits and events.
He belongs to a generation that has been active in the renewal of the Sassi, the ancient heart of Matera and a world heritage site. He was commissioned by the city council to refurbish the city's central piazzas, a particularly complex task in view of the coexistence of the modern city with the remains and strata of the ancient one, which came to light during work to refurbish Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
He has undertaken many restoration projects in the Sassi, including the one for the functional renewal of the Casa del Pellegrino delle Monacelle, followed by the preliminary feasibility study for the Museo dell'Habitat Rupestre, a study for the renewal of a section of the Sassi to be devoted to a centre that will interpret the rocky area and provide a documentation and archive facility for Matera.
His urban renewal projects include the Piano dei Lidi and the valorization of the seafront at Scanzano Jonico, which has become a synthesis of the language of architecture and that of the natural Mediterranean environment. His style is bold and clearly recognizable, irrespective of the scale and importance of the work. This can also be seen in his interiors and temporary exhibits, which also reveal his great attention to detail combined with the creativity and originality that have always distinguished his work.
It is no accident that he was invited to design the set of the Sassi di Matera for the carnival and the stands for the public for the visit to the city by Pope John Paul II. He contributes actively to the twinning of Matera and Havana on a project to renew historic city centres.
In recent years the project to reuse the Cava della Palomba quarry at Matera and the executive design and direction of works for the Felifonte theme park at Castellaneta Marina (Taranto) were the occasion for founding Studio Acito and Partners together with Alberto Giordano.