He grew up in South Africa where he began his studies at UCT before going to London to complete them and qualify as an architect with the RIBA. He subsequently moved back to Italy and set up the ZELCO LAZZARI partnership, which has been active for 30 years in many spheres of activity, but mostly concentrating on residential, healthcare and urban design. The office has carried out much renovation and urban regeneration projects, with some innovative zero energy buildings.