T-Building — The author
Caterina Locati
T-Building and the Habitat Evolutivo® system is the brainchild of founder Caterina Locati.
Architect, Politecnico di Milano doctorate holder, author and TEDx speaker.
Caterina has been exploring the intimate relationship between people and the places they inhabit for over sixteen years — at the crossroads of architecture, mindfulness and wellbeing.
The original question
Is there still something to discover in the relationship between people and their environment that could bring greater wellbeing, balance and harmony?
At work, in public, in places.
Photos by Greta Gandini
The evolution
The path
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01
From technical design to research.
After an Architecture degree and a PhD from Politecnico di Milano, Caterina Locati worked as an architect for years — design, construction management, LEED professional accreditation.
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02
From practice to vision.
In 2008 she began exploring invisible beauty, consciousness, quantum physics and epigenetics themes. It was here that the cornerstone of the T-Building project was laid. And it has been consolidated by more than eighteen years of work with dozens of people who Caterina helped to deepen their relationship with the places they inhabit.
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03
From vision to books.
After her first outreach events for architects in 2017, Caterina published La vita segreta delle case (The Secret Life of Homes) in 2019 and introduced her 3D · 4D · 5D model. In 2026, her second book, Oltre l'Abitare (Beyond Residing), consolidated her vision and brought it to a wider audience.
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04
From books to a codified method.
The system then took shape and was codified into Progettazione Evolutiva® and applied to real-world cases. The trademarks Habitat Evolutivo®, T-Building, Progettazione Evolutiva®, and Architettura Evolutiva® were registered, and the Trattato Habitat Evolutivo® was registered with SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers).
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05
From method to transmission.
In recent years Caterina has passed on Progettazione Evolutiva® to a first group of professionals — the T-Builders — via T-Lab, a training pathway which interweaves technical methods with a growth in professional awareness.
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06
From method to partnerships.
The method took real-world shape via partnerships with strategic residential-sector and real estate companies. In 2020 her partnership with Metroquadro Home Advisor, now part of the Fixel property enhancement system, began.
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07
From partnerships to a public voice.
In 2023 Caterina was a speaker at TEDx Bologna and she has spoken at significant institutional events — the 999 domande sull'Abitare exhibition at Triennale Milano, events for architects with Federlegnoarredo, academic conferences at Polidesign / Politecnico di Milano. She is also a contributor and columnist for QI Life, the in-depth magazine of Il Quotidiano Immobiliare.
The scientific frameworks
Research in dialogue with contemporary thought.
Over time Caterina Locati’s research has been nurtured by her ongoing interest in the disciplines that enquire into the relationship between matter, energy, and consciousness — from epigenetics to quantum physics. Her method is grounded in direct field research. These scientific frameworks shore up her thinking and help make what T-Building observes every day in places and people tangible.
“The most important advance in science today is the field of epigenetics, the science of how environment controls gene activity. Rather than being ‘victims’ of our heredity, we are able to control our genetic expression by designing environments that support and enhance health and wellbeing. It is profoundly important that architecture be infused with a biological foundation by which design supports the life and livelihood of the public.
Toward this end, I fully endorse the efforts of Caterina Locati, for her insights and efforts are fully in line with creating environments that nourish the heart, mind and souls of individuals while helping them manifest their fullest potential.”
— Bruce Lipton, cell biologist, author of The Biology of Belief (Hay House, 2005) and Beyond Darwin (BenBella Books, 2026)
Speaking moments
Where do you want to begin?
If this project resonates with you, welcome to the dialogue.
T-Building’s gateways open up in multiple directions. Perhaps you have a home to renovate, a development to enhance, a hotel or spa to rethink, a professional path to pursue — or perhaps you are simply curious to read, hear a talk or join a conversation.
Whatever you’re looking for, you’re welcome.