Designer Friday: An ASPIRE Exclusive Interview With Massimo Iosa Ghini

Massimo Iosa Ghini’s work has made a global impact on the world of architecture, design, and sustainability. He founded Iosa Ghini Associati in 1990, where he’s had the pleasure of designing museums, public transportation systems, and retail stores, such as Ferrari. Now working on changing Miami’s skyline, Massimo is finishing the 64-Story Brickell Flatiron, which is absolutely breathtaking. Introducing this week’s Designer Friday, Massimo Iosa Ghini.

With Ferrari comes history and Massimo Iosa Ghini makes sure to emphasize that in all of the Ferrari stores, since 2002.

Andrew Joseph: You’re the newest Crayola color. What color are you and why?
Massimo Iosa Ghini: Red, like the cars I love.

Andrew: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
Massimo: You know, a curve… natural with some uncertainty…. handmade.

Andrew: What makes you angry?
Massimo: Oppression.

Andrew: What is the last book you read?
Massimo: Manifesto of the Third Landscape by Clément

Andrew: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
Massimo: Fewer products and more projects.

Massimo’s work is found all over the globe, from multifunctional residential projects in Budapest, shopping centers in Miami, all the way to the IBM Software Executive Briefing Center in Rome.

Andrew: What would you like remembered about you?
Massimo: That I had the courage to innovate and I implemented my innovations.

Andrew: How would you describe your personal style?
Massimo: Fluid.

Andrew: What are you most proud of?
Massimo: My sons, banal but true.

Andrew: What are your beauty secrets?
Massimo: Frowning.

Andrew: Style (or design) icon?
Massimo: Corbusier, Adalberto Libera, Mollino are historical references for my work, lately. Giorgio Morandi’s work also fascinates me.

Pictured here is the timeless Otello Armchair that was created in 1986. The armchair is made of wood and metal, and coated with black leather.

Andrew: How would you define your work in three words?
Massimo: Express yourself and serve others.

Andrew: What might the design world look like in 10 years?
Massimo: Immaterial and/or organic.

Andrew: How do you define beauty?
Massimo: Essence of life.

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About The Designer | Renowned Italian architect, Massimo Iosa Ghini, is an icon in the world of architecture and design. The founder and principal of his eponymous firm, Iosa Ghini is also an original member of the Memphis Group and a frequent product designer for sought-after Italian brands such as Moroso, Venini, and Leucos. His architecture and interiors projects span the world over, from Bologna to Tokyo and include the recently completed Marconi Express, or People Mover—a futuristic transport system in Bologna, Italy, the design of high-end Ferrari and Kiko Milano stores around the globe, and a current adaptive reuse project, the eco-conscious Starhotels, also in Bologna, Italy. At the moment, Iosa Ghini is finalizing his new representative office in Miami and putting the finishing touches on the 64-Story Brickell Flatiron in Miami—a luxurious interiors project the architect worked on with longtime collaborator, developer Ugo Colombo. The project, which features commissioned artwork by artist Julian Schnabel, has transformed Miami’s skyline.

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Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here. 

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