Architect Mario Cucinella was the ambassador for the ninth edition of Italian Design Day, organised by the Italian Embassy in Madrid at the prestigious Ateneo de Madrid. This historic venue has previously hosted renowned Italian figures, particularly from the fields of architecture and the arts, including sculptors Arnaldo and Giò Pomodoro and painter Emilio Vedova.
In his welcome address to the audience gathered in the Ateneo’s Library, the Italian Ambassador to Madrid, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, highlighted that Italian Design Day is one of the Italian Foreign Ministry’s key initiatives, aimed at showcasing Italian craftsmanship and creativity worldwide. Through the voices of entrepreneurs, designers, and architects, this event helps reinforce Italy’s leading position in the global design and manufacturing industry. The Ambassador also noted that the IDD serves as an ideal introduction to several major upcoming events, particularly the Salone del Mobile in Milan (8–13 April), the Triennale Milano International Exhibition, and the Venice Biennale (both running from May to November 2025).
During the evening, architect Cucinella engaged in a conversation with Pilar Marcos, editor-in-chief of the Spanish magazine Diseño Interior. He reflected on key moments in his career, focusing on his commitment to sustainability, his humanistic inspirations, and the shared responsibility of architects to ensure that everyone, not just a privileged few, can enjoy a better future. His insights were perfectly aligned with the theme chosen for IDD 2025: “Inequalities. Design for a Better Life.” They also resonate with the topics to be explored at Expo 2025 Osaka (13 April – 13 October), where Italy will be represented by a national pavilion entitled “The Ideal City”—designed by Mario Cucinella himself.
