I was born in Milan, Italy, in 1987. I was six years old when I decided I wanted to come to the USA. At eleven I saw a book of Alvar Aalto's creations and decided I wanted to become a designer. Determination and creativity characterize me. Since I began working in this country, I can add enthusiasm and passion for architecture to my list of attributes.
Since my childhood, I always fostered my passion for
architecture. At the end of High School in 2006, I earned my Italian degree
with a thesis titled “Living in Literature” and an essay about suburban
planning. My topic shocked my professors, as my school is a “Liceo Classico”
which focuses on ancient Latin and Greek and Italian grammar. Afterwards,
I started "Civil Architecture" at the University Politecnico of
Milano. Following the completion of my third year, I won a two-year scholarship
at the "Alta Scuola Politecnica", based on multidisciplinary
collaboration between students. In December 2011 I graduated from that program
with the highest marks possible and obtained my MArch with honors.
Curious and always ready for new challenges, in April,
2012 I accepted an Internship at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based
architectural firm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative. After only three months,
very pleased with my contribution to the firm, the firm principals offered me
the an H1B Visa. Leaving Italy was the boldest choice I have ever done.
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm for this opportunity gives me the strength of
going beyond the difficulties of not being American.
Volunteering for the AIA Pittsburgh and other civic
organizations in Pittsburgh has shown me how I can “make an impact”. I
occasionally write for the AIA PGH magazine "eColumns" and for this blog
in which I review architecture and art events, which inspire me, with the hope
of inspiring others. I joined the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) chapter in
2012 and that year also won the "AIA Young Architect Studio
Competition". Since then, I am helping in organizing the contest. The
YAF goals of Leadership, Fellowship and Mentorship have become my personal
goals for life and in the profession. It was easy to embrace Fellowship. Then,
I decided to pursue Leadership, and even become PR Director. My task is to
reach out to other peers, by strengthening the YAF Social Media presence. And
we are currently growing! I am the official photographer of our events, and use
our photos to promote our mission and build enthusiasm in the community.
Now I am working on the Mentorship goal. I am helping
in coordinating our monthly ARE Review sessions, while studying myself, aiming
to be a reference for others. I commit my
time to make a mark a designer and building a better community, occasionally by
reaching out to AIAS Pittsburgh Students.
I think I can be a perfect example
that no matter where you come from, or how much young you are, you as an
architect can make the difference, and leave the world a better and happier
place.
