The collection is a part of the vast library and professional archive of the engineer Augusto Rima from Mosogno (1916-2003), composed both of bibliographical and archival papers: 741 books, 65 ancient books and 20 containers. In this archive the presence of photographs among projects and files defines their use as a documentation tool and as witness to his activity. A valid scholar - as is clear from the list of his numerous publications and from his admission as academic correspondent of the Accademia Tiberina in Rome - he collected a specialist library in the history of hydraulics, hydrology, geology and geography of water, the engineering of ships and canals, landscape conservation, treatment of banks and dams, water law, easements, meteorology and astronomy.
Augusto Rima
After studying civil engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (1935-39), Augusto Rima participated in the project of the National Exhibition in Zurich in 1939. In 1946 he opened an engineering studio with his brother Alessandro and entered the board of the hydroelectric plants of Maggia S.A. In 1956 he opened his own studio in Locarno. In addition to his work as an engineer, he covered political, administrative and advisory positions.
Rima was also an educated "polyhistor" and assiduous collector of books of both humanities and natural sciences.
