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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1547432
Miami Living (ML): Was there an early experience that inspired you to become an architect? Eugenia Di Girolamo: Traveling with my parents as a child was probably my earliest introduction to architecture and design. I had the opportunity to visit different cities across Europe and experience how people lived in different places. I was fascinated by how much everyday life could change from one city to another, or even from one neighborhood to the next. I began noticing how streets, public spaces, buildings and the relationships between them shaped the way people interacted, moved around and experienced their communities. Every place had its own character, rhythm and way of life, and I became curious about what made those differences possible. Looking back, I think those experiences sparked my interest in architecture and eventually urban design. What fascinated me wasn't just the buildings themselves, but the relationship between the built environment and the people who inhabit it and how design can influence the way we live and connect with one another. ML: What did your work in public service and urban planning teach you about design that you bring to Pininfarina? Eugenia Di Girolamo: Working in public service profoundly shaped my understanding of the responsibility that comes with design. At the New York City Department of City Planning, and later as Chief Urban Designer for the City and County of Denver, I worked on projects where design decisions had implications far beyond the boundaries of an individual site. They affected public spaces, mobility, housing and the everyday lives of people with very different needs. That experience taught me to approach design at multiple scales and to consider not only the quality of the physical environment, but also its social, cultural and economic impact. It’s a perspective I bring to Pininfarina. Whether we’re designing a residence, a product or a public space, I believe the most meaningful work begins with understanding people and context. Beauty and innovation are essential, but their value ultimately lies in the experiences they enable and the positive impact they can create. ML: What attracted you to Pininfarina, and what are your priorities for your first year leading the Americas? Eugenia Di Girolamo: What attracted me to Pininfarina is its extraordinary ability to bring together disciplines that are often treated separately: design, engineering, technology, craftsmanship and human experience. Pininfarina has spent nearly a century shaping some of the most iconic expressions of automotive design, but what I find particularly exciting is how that design intelligence translates into architecture, product design, mobility and nautical design. There is an incredible opportunity to build on this heritage while exploring what Pininfarina can become in its next century. My priority is to strengthen our presence across the Americas, particularly in the United States, by developing deeper relationships with clients, expanding our work across disciplines and bringing greater visibility to the breadth of our capabilities.