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re.te is an evolving firm of urban planners, architects and researchers, inspired by Manuel Castells’ concept of the “network society.”

This vision is embodied in the diverse personal and professional backgrounds of its founders and members, creating a dynamic platform that bridges cultures, disciplines, and ideas.

Our Journey

1987

Foundation of a Legacy

Marco established his architecture and urban planning studio on the shores of Lake Como, laying the groundwork for decades of architectural and urban planning practice.

2018

A Lasting Connection

Francesca and Abdallah first crossed paths at Politecnico di Milano when Abdallah moved from Lebanon to pursue his second master’s in Urban Planning, joining the same program as Francesca. This encounter marked the beginning of a meaningful academic and professional exchange.

2020

A New Chapter Begins

After completing her studies in architecture and urban planning in Milan, Francesca joined Marco’s studio, bringing fresh energy and contemporary perspectives to the practice.

2021

Advancing Through Research

Passionate about research and its role in urban and territorial planning, Francesca embarked on a PhD in Urban Planning, Design, and Policy at Politecnico di Milano. That same year, Abdallah also joined the PhD program, further intertwining their academic journeys. Their collaboration strengthened through dynamic exchanges of ideas, enhancing their expertise in scientific research and academic knowledge production. As they progressed in their PhDs, Francesca and Abdallah recognized the need to better integrate academic research into professional practice, addressing the challenges of bridging these two domains.

2025

The Birth of re.te.

Drawing on Francesca and Abdallah’s research-driven expertise and Marco’s extensive professional experience, re.te. was founded in 2025 as a visionary platform dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and practice. With a mission to foster dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and cultures, re.te. stands as a testament to the power of integration in addressing the complex challenges of contemporary territories.

In a world of digital connections, we believe in the capacity of being simultaneously in different places, but without losing our identity.

Our Places

Menaggio (Como Lake)

Via Luigi Cadorna 176

Milano

Via Andrea Maria Ampère 58

Beirut

Awkar, Saydet el Mghara Street.

Our team is composed of Practitioners and Researchers

CEO

Marco Mazza, Architect

Marco Mazza is an Italian architect, urban planner, and researcher with a deep-rooted connection to the Lombard Prealps and mountain villages where he spent his childhood and adolescence.

Marco Mazza is an Italian architect, urban planner, and researcher with a deep-rooted connection to the Lombard Prealps and mountain villages where he spent his childhood and adolescence. He graduated in 1985 from the Faculty of Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, with a thesis on industrial archaeology and the origins of human settlement in the Prealpine area.

Throughout his career, Marco has combined architecture, technology, and visual documentation. In the late 1980s, he developed a strong interest in applied informatics, specializing in architectural CAD systems for both DOS-Windows (AutoCAD) and Unix (Cad400). With the introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), his focus expanded to the creation of relational databases and digital cartography, contributing to the development of topographic databases (DBT).

Between 1987 and 2025, he carried out over 120 public commissions for the design and realization of public works, working extensively with local administrations. Alongside his professional activity, Marco has cultivated a passion for architectural and landscape photography, as well as programming languages such as Linux Ubuntu and Python.

Project Lead

Francesca Mazza, Urban Planner

Francesca Mazza is an Italian urban planner based between Como and Milan, where she is completing her PhD in the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at the Politecnico di Milano.

Francesca Mazza is an Italian urban planner based between Como and Milan, where she is completing her PhD in the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at the Politecnico di Milano. Her research focuses on the planning and design of territorial regeneration in mountain tourist regions within the framework of the sustainable transition.

 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural design and a Master of Science in Urban Planning and Policy Design from the Politecnico di Milano.

 

Francesca has experience in regional planning, urban planning, urban design, and academia. Since 2021, she has been actively involved in research projects at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies at the Politecnico di Milano, focusing on the sustainable development of fragile mountain areas and climate adaptation strategies for major metropolitan regions, including Milan and Rome.

Alongside her research, she has served as a Teaching Assistant in the Architecture and Urban Design program at the Politecnico di Milano.

Beyond academia, Francesca has gained practical experience working on land-use planning for municipalities around Lake Como and developing projects for European funding programs aimed at supporting mountain communities.

Project Lead

Abdallah Jreij, Architect and Urban Planner

Abdallah Jreij is a Lebanese architect and urban planner based in Milan, where he is concluding his PhD in the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at the Politecnico di Milano.

Abdallah Jreij is a Lebanese architect and urban planner based in Milan, where he is concluding his PhD in the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at the Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on contextualizing the environmental impact and sustainability of developments and projects related to Mega-events.  

He holds a Bachelor and a Master’s in Architecture from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts-ALBA and a second Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy Design from the Politecnico di Milano.  

Abdallah has experience in architecture, urban design, and academia. He has worked on developments in Beirut, and Milan, collaborated with firms, and contributed to municipal projects. He has also been involved in teaching, research, and consultancy, including a research stay at the University of Lausanne and a role as a PhD researcher at Mic-Hub in Milan.

we see the territory
as a palimsest

Our Design by Research philosophy shapes all the services we offer, whether it involves the initial research phase or extends into later stages of developing spatial strategies, visions, policies, and guidelines. We believe that well-researched, data-driven insights lead to more resilient and sustainable outcomes, enabling us to tackle the complexities of today’s urban environments with precision and expertise.

“The designer is not just a creator but also a researcher, embedding inquiry within the design process to shape future urban environments.” — Roggema, 2017

About

Concept

Approach

People

Services

Expertise

Mega-events planning

Territorial regeneration

Spatial-strategic planning

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