Principal
Atelier Manferdini
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Email: info@ateliermanferdini.com
Website: www.ateliermanferdini.com
SESSION DESCRIPTION
(R)evolution in light, form and materials
Through history, the evolution of form has largely been catalyzed by the evolution of technology and materials. Great gothic expanses of glass were made possible by harnessing the strength of the arch. Our modern cities grew skyward by virtue of steel and glass. The space age was powered by plastic, and the computer age offers an as-yet untapped universe of possibility. In today’s world, the designer faces a mind-boggling array of challenges, but is offered an ever- increasing palette of tools from which to tackle the problem at hand.
Our panelists will share their imaginative design processes which weave together new technologies and materials with factors such as social-consciousness and environmental responsibility.
SPEAKER BIO
Elena Manferdini graduated from the University of Civil Engineering (Bologna, Italy) and later from University of California Los Angeles (Master of Architecture and Urban Design).
In 2003 Elena Manferdini funded Atelier Manferdini, a design office that has been highly visible advocate of design excellence and has been recognized internationally for its ability to create imaginative architecture, fashion and object design. The work is based on the philosophy that design can participate in the new developments that are defining our culture, translating the complexity of contemporary technology into built form. Currently the firm is designing a 250,000sft master plan in Macerata (Italy) including 80 apartments, a museum, a public library and an open theater. Recently the firm has collaborated with numerous industries: MTV, Fiat, Nike, Alessi, Guzzini, Ottaviani, Leucos, Valentino and FolliFollie are selected examples.
Her architectural projects have been exhibited internationally in both architecture and art museums: her work is currently showcased at ‘Skin and Bones’, in Tokyo. Last year she was invited to curate the West Coast USA session of the Beijing Biennale exhibition and she designed the West Coast pavilion for the Chinese Millennium Museum. Elena Manferdini has been featured in several publications: Domus, New York Times, Elle, Vogue, ID, Icon, Form, Contemporary, Metropolis, Architectural Design are selected examples. In addition to leading her design practice, Elena Manferdini teaches design studios and seminar at the Southern California Institute of Architecture.
