Andrea Bertassi Architect (IT) co-started XCOOP in 2009, after working for four years at OMA in Rotterdam. Through hard work and serious discipline Andrea systematically worked on architecture and masterplan projects in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Central America. He had worked on a large scale urban plan for the Gelredome Stadium area in Arnhem, The Netherland and on an innovation plan for sustainable housing in extreme climates in El Salvador. Andrea is presently acquiring projects for the creation of Zero Energy neighborhoods in Germany. In 2008 he has been guest lecturer at the UNICA in Cagliari, Italy and guest professor at the University of Central America of San Salvador (El Salvador). Presently, he advises students on their Final Thesis projects. At OMA Andrea worked on the winning scheme for the Stock Exchange competition in Shenzhen, China, on the redevelopment of the former Mercati Generali in Rome, Italy, and on the construction documents of the Congress Center in Cordoba, Spain, among others. At XCOOP, he is the main contact between the office and China: he facilitates creative exchange inducing innovative design concepts. Andrea studied architecture and urban planning at the Institute Superieur d'Architecture Victor Horta in Bruxelles and at the IUAV University of Venice, where he graduated in 2004. He holds a master degree in clarinet at the Conservatory F.A.Bonporti of Trento.