DESIGN FOR THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE

BY PAOLO TREVISAN

Architecture and urban planning aid in making cities livable and enhancing the quality of life of their residents. At the same time, the designer needs to embrace a new approach to smart city design, keeping their core values while applying them to a new vision of the future.

Iwant to discuss the importance of design for smart cities and the cities of the future. We have two main factors: the opportunity with technology and digital transformation and the brand and identity of cities.

Miami Beach Bus Shelter

We designed a bus shelter for Miami Beach, where it was important to understand the city’s identity. Normally, the concourse related to bus shelters goes through advertising agencies, but Miami Beach asked for the design to come first. We took inspiration from the MiMo architecture. Between the solar panels, we added colored glass, so when the light goes through, not only do you recover energy, but it also projects circles on the ground. We researched bus shelters and found in Miami Beach, people use bus shelters for shade. So we created a special graphic on the floor to expand the shade position.

Miami Beach Water Pumps

Miami Beach came up with an interesting solution to address sea level rise with pumping stations. They are usually ugly. We tried to reduce that impact through design while taking inspiration from the nautical sector, where you flip and close it. You also have some elements on those curvatures, avoiding sharp angles, related again to MiMo architecture and Miami’s warmth.

4th Bridge, Panama City

Panama City is at the crossroads of commerce and travel. Due to its location, the 4th Bridge should represent what Panama stands for, a place that unites cultures. The idea was again to create an important landscape and destination point. We worked a lot on the activities under the bridge and the lighting effects. A restaurant is in one of the pillars, and a hidden elevator is in one column with a sightseeing place on top. We created an attraction plus many activities and pop-up events under the bridge.

Manhattan Cable Car

We worked on this concept project with SOM Architects. The transportation system can become important and attract people. Cities understand the importance of answering the needs, becoming recognizable, becoming a brand, and attracting people. The cable car seems to be a very intelligent solution for this part of Manhattan.

Istanbul Air Traffic Control Tower

We designed an air traffic control tower at the airport in Istanbul, Turkey. They had a worldwide competition to design it. The project wasn’t just to cover some functionalities but was to find a new symbol for what they wanted to represent in terms of value. We studied the culture and learned that the tulip is one of the country’s symbols of prosperity and luck, so the tulip inspired all the designs.

Vilnius Opera House, Lithuania

For this opera house project, the idea was that with this big theater, we would bring modules in the city with screens where you could share some of the activities on the plazas. We are trying to democratize the events and create those little pods around the city.

To close, I will leave you with a quote from Paolo Pininfarina that represents the spirit of the company but also the message I wanted to deliver to you: Design is the instrument to humanize innovation.

Paolo Trevisan Vice President of Design, Pininfarina of America

Miami, Florida

Paolo Trevisan is the VP of design for Pininfarina of America. In his role, he leads the subsidiary’s design teams for all projects across the Americas. Trevisan manages the design team, ensuring Pininfarina’s DNA, identity, and language are retained and consistent across all projects. He also oversees the design process from brief to creative interpretation to delivery. Trevisan’s work spans experience in industrial design, architecture and interiors, graphics and packaging, and transportation projects. He has managed more than 100 initiatives, including projects for Coca-Cola, 3M, Bovet 1822, Lavazza, Aerion Supersonic Jet, Cisco, Snaidero, Related Group, AECOM, City of Miami Beach, Pasqualotto&GT, and others.