Franco Vairani

Background
PhD candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
Master of Science in Architectural Studies from MIT, 2001;
Architect, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, School of Architecture, Argentina, 1998;
research scientist at MIT, including work on the City Car concept car.

Awards

I.D. Magazine Award, Student Design Review (2006)

Q&A

What started you on the path toward sustainability?

I can’t recall a particular moment. Sustainability has always been a factor in the design process, just as functional or structural considerations are. You simply can’t do without that.

Who inspired you or nurtured your talent?

Too many to name here. Recently, Prof. Bill Mitchell has been the most prominent figure in my formation, but inspiration is drawn from many sources, from obvious sources such as other designers, as well as nature or everyday things that we take for granted.

What gives you hope in your industry?

There is a clear concern about sustainability, and most serious design projects try to address the issue in one way or another. At the same time, there are numerous research projects to study bigger issues such as global warming, energy conservation and pollution, which will help understand these problems and generate new solutions.

What worries you most in this area?

Overexposure, misuse, and misrepresentation of the term “sustainability.” It is very easy to say “fossil fuels are bad” and push some other agenda to the front, but finding true alternatives is a real challenge. Currently, it is hip to label almost anything as “green,” but fashion trends quickly vanish into oblivion.

What advice do you give to young people who want to make a difference in the world?

Be creative, but also be serious about it. Creativity is greatly enhanced with a thorough understanding of the context, so careful study and research play an important role in achieving new solutions.

What is the role of technology in sustainable design?

The rapid development of digital tools has greatly impacted communication, which in turn has helped understand the consequences of human development in a global scale. Not long ago, design was an enterprise confined to personal experiences and tradition, but it is now influenced by huge amounts of information coming from all directions, and software is crucial in managing all this information.