Pablo Paterniti
1. Congratulations on winning the Rome Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I am Pablo Paterniti, Argentine-Italian, 55 years old, and graduated as an Architect from the Universidad Católica de La Plata, located in my hometown and current residence, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
My inspiration to pursue this career arose from a sensitivity towards constructions from an aesthetic-constructive perspective, as well as a desire to organise spaces from a functional standpoint.
2. What does being recognised in the Rome Design Awards mean to you?
It means a great deal to me because, after 20 years dedicated to construction, I have decided to broaden my scope and also dedicate myself to "Intellectual Production".
The recognition I have received through this evaluation and subsequent award is truly unique, as I have never participated in a competition before. Being acknowledged by such a distinguished and numerous jury, alongside other colleagues with their important works, fills me with profound gratitude for this recognition.
3. How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
It has brought me personal joy and introduced me to the public through the resulting publication.
4. What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation does not play a central role for me, but constant critical reflection on what is right or wrong in the creative process is essential. I avoid complacency. In this process, establishing clear principles is very valuable; I navigate the work while respecting them and always remain within the framework of the core idea.
5. What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
The most unusual source of inspiration for me has been metaphor. The use of metaphor and its adaptation carry an intriguing intellectual flavour.
6. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
I would like people to understand that my work is very personal, often centred around subjective ideas that require appropriate professional intervention to add value.
7. How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
I do this with the peace of mind that comes from believing in what I propose, in the sense that the client has been listened to and understood. The idea addresses their needs in such a way that I have never had to deviate far from it.
8. What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was that, upon reviewing the existing construction, it became clear that the root of the problems lay in the foundations. I addressed this by undertaking the financial effort to redo them, while fully respecting the project based on certain principles (which are detailed in the publication).
9. How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
I take a short break and then resume work. Generally, my primary concern is that the project functions effectively, so if a creative block arises, I overcome it by continuing to work until it resolves.
10. What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I strive to incorporate references that relate to the environment, both in terms of scale and language. I place great importance on the measure and proportion of the proposal, both generally and in detail.
A sense of what is "just" is crucial for me, steering clear of excesses or deficiencies. Functionality is also a key premise; determining circulation to create rich, enclosed spaces, as well as shaping the experience of being inside or outside, with intermediate spaces, adds value to both my process and my final product.
11. What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
That success comes from hard work, and that this work must always be genuine.
12. If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would collaborate with anyone I wish to work with. It is always enriching to exchange ideas with fellow professionals.
13. What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
The question would be: "Do you find your work beautiful?" My answer is: "Yes, I find it beautiful because it is entirely authentic."
