Speaker

Paola joined Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) in 1999, and became a director in 2019. Throughout her time at ZHA, Paola has gathered extensive global experience in design, project management, and office operations. Her work spans diverse scales and complexities, from her early projects like the Salerno Maritime Terminal to leadership roles in expansive new cities design and masterplanning like the Hangzhou Seamless City. Before joining ZHA, Paola gained experience firstly as a freelance architect and interior designer and later working with various practices in Barcelona, Rome and London. Paola is registered as an architect in both Italy and the United Kingdom. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY Paola began her architectural journey at the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB) in Spain and later earned her Diploma in Architecture from the Sapienza University of Rome in Italy. She has shared her expertise extensively, lecturing on architecture, urban design, and her work with Zaha Hadid Architects across Europe and Asia. For Paola, these engagements are opportunities to reflect on her practice and foster dialogue with young architects. Her upbringing in Rome, surrounded by its layered history, shaped her passion for urban transformation and adaptive reuse, which continues to inspire her designs. EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW Paola has been involved in numerous high-profile international projects and design competitions, showcasing her expertise across architectural typologies, with an emphasis on hospitality. Other strengths lie in urban development, infrastructure, and interior design. She has led multidisciplinary teams in addressing complex design briefs within tight timelines, consistently delivering innovative and impactful solutions. Currently Paola is leading the large-scale masterplan ‘Discovery City’ in Johor, Malaysia, which includes the architectural design of a vast exhibition space. Her leadership skills encompass project oversight, team management, and strategic resource allocation, ensuring seamless project execution from concept to completion. Paola’s diverse experience stretches across all architectural typologies, from hospitality to civic, retail and infrastructure. She recently led the interior design team responsible for the fit-out and regeneration of the luxury boutique ROMEO Hotel, Roma. Paola’s knowledge of the sector was instrumental in achieving the project’s ambitious vision, preserving the historical character of the 1600s building while transforming its interiors into a luxurious, contemporary space. She is also co leading the Hangzhou Seamless City development, a large-scale waterfront project under construction that includes regenerating key infrastructure and designing residential, commercial, retail, and amenity spaces. Working in the infrastructure sector, Paola served as project director for the Salerno Maritime Terminal in Italy, a quayside development that seamlessly bridges land and sea, and as project manager for the Napoli-Afragola High-Speed Train Station, a vital transportation hub and gateway to Naples. Her portfolio also includes designing interior retail spaces for Stuart Weitzman, with stores completed in Hong Kong, Milan, Rome, and Beijing, and leading a major private development in New Taipei City, featuring six residential towers and a shopping mall. Through her innovative approach and leadership, Paola continues to deliver projects that balance aesthetic ambition with functional excellence.