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not only beautiful today, but capable of performing responsibly for generations. ML: You emphasize the emotional connection people form with design. Is there a place or object that has stayed with you, and why? Eugenia Di Girolamo: One place that comes to mind is Bologna, where I studied architecture and engineering. What has always stayed with me is the way the city’s streets, porticoes and public spaces create such a rich relationship between architecture and everyday life. There is a generosity to those spaces. They make room for encounters, conversations and the ordinary rituals that give a city its identity. It’s not structured or prescribed; it just happens organically. What I find remarkable is that the emotional connection isn’t necessarily created by a single monumental building. It comes from the experience of moving through the city, the way light changes throughout the day, the sense of enclosure and openness, and the presence of other people. The buildings are the backdrop for the life that happens in the in between. That has always influenced my understanding of design. The places we remember most vividly are often those where we felt something meaningful, even if we can’t immediately explain why. It’s about the memories we create with others or in the absence of others and the emotional connection to a place. I think the same is true of a beautifully designed object. Its value goes beyond its appearance or function; it becomes part of our personal experience and memory. ML: When you explore a city outside of work, what catches your eye? Is there somewhere in Miami you would like to get to know better? Eugenia Di Girolamo: I love exploring cities without a particular agenda, allowing myself to get lost and discover what makes each neighborhood unique. Art is a big part of that for me. In New York, I love wandering through galleries, from the Lower East Side to Chelsea and uptown. And whenever I'm in Miami for Art Basel, I try to discover new artists and galleries beyond the fairs. But I'm equally fascinated by everyday life. It may be a very Italian thing, but I can happily spend an afternoon sitting at a café, watching people go by. I'm also naturally drawn to water. I grew up by the Mediterranean Sea, and I've always felt a strong connection to coastal cities like Miami, Rio de Janeiro and New York. There's something fascinating about the boundary where the city meets the water, and the different ways people experience it. In Miami, I'd love to explore Little River more deeply. I'm intrigued by its growing community of independent galleries, artists and creative spaces, but also by the neighborhood's evolving identity. I'm interested in discovering the places where art, culture and everyday life intersect, because that's often where you find the true character of a city. CONTACT INFORMATION Pininfarina of America 501 Brickell Key Drive, Suite 200 Miami, FL 33131 +1 305 424 1653 america@pininfarina.com www.pininfarina.it By ML Staff / Photos courtesy of Pininfarina