INASDS LEADS – The INASDS Luminary Experts, Architects and Designers Lecture Series is a virtual or hybrid (when possible) lecture series featuring distinguished international leaders sharing their perspectives on current and relevant issues on a global level. The goal of which is to promote awareness to thoughtfully support a better, progressive future for all through and by design.
The INASDS LEADS event is a 50-minute virtual panel featuring world-renowned speakers that will bring together luminaries of the discipline.
INASDS LEADS THE 2024 PROGRAM
Theme “Design and Creativity: Innovation for New World Realities”
INASDS LEADS 2024 brought together international expert leaders and luminaries of the discipline. Each participant addressed an international audience
INASDS, highlighting different perspectives and interpretations of topical issues on a global level. This year’s inaugural edition featured four exceptional presentations on the theme “Design and Creativity: Innovation for New World Realities”.
The 2024 Inspirational Speakers were Chi Wing Lo, Founder of DIMENSIONE CHI WING LO (China); Patricia Urquiola, Founder and Owner of Studio Urquiola (Spain/Italy); Walter Mariotti, Editorial Director of Domus (Italy) and David Rockwell, Founder and President of Rockwell Group (USA). Each world-renowned leader shared thought-provoking insights addressing different aspects of a common theme from the perspective of their own complementary design disciplines, experiences and areas of expertise.
INASDS is proud to partner with Shaw Contracting, title sponsor of INASDS LEADS 2024, to launch this top-rated global architecture/interior design resource. Shaw, the leading international resource for flooring solutions, shares INASDS’ commitment to improving the quality of life through smart design ideas and solutions that will contribute to the social impact of design on a global level. INASDS is excited to expand its partnership with Shaw Contracting to INASDS LEADS 2025 to continue to bring together design and industry experts and build a strong global community through design innovation.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
CHI WING LO, founder of DIMENSIONE CHI WING LO (China)
Winner of the 2015 Outstanding Chinese Designer of the World Award, Chi Wing Lo’s work in architecture, sculpture, interior design, furniture and objects is extensive. Lo, founder of DIMENSIONE CHI WING LO, a furniture brand designed and produced in Italy under his keen guidance, was the art director of Giorgetti from 2004 to 2006. In 2009, his tower house in Athens was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Prize for Architecture. Raised in Hong Kong, he earned a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard. Lo has worked as a guest critic at various universities and is a frequent speaker at design events.
Walter Mariotti, Editorial Director Domus (Italy)
Walter Mariotti studied philosophy at Siena and Harvard, and economics and management at Bocconi in Milan. His professional career began as a researcher and professor before entering public administration in the sectors of culture, public relations and strategic planning. Highlights of his journalistic career include the conceptual redesign of Panorama , for which he later became deputy editor-in-chief, and the creation of Periferie , conceived by Renzo Piano. In 2017, he was appointed editor-in-chief of Domus , with the task of conceiving, directing and developing the Domus System, including the magazine, website, archive, events and intelligence.
Patricia Urquiola, founder and owner of Studio Urquiola (Spain/Italy)
Patricia Urquiola studied architecture and design in Madrid and completed her studies at the Politecnico di Milano under Achille Castiglioni. In 2001, she founded the multidisciplinary studio Studio Urquiola with her partner Alberto Zontone. Urquiola has been creative director of Cassina since 2015 and has collaborated with many important Italian and international design companies. Her work has been exhibited in art and design museums around the world, including MoMA in New York, the Paris Museum of Decorative Arts, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne and the V. A in London. Urquiola is on the advisory board of the Politecnico di Milano and the Museo di Milano Triennale.
David Rockwell, Founder and President of Rockwell Group (USA)
Founder and President of Rockwell Group, an interdisciplinary architecture and design firm headquartered in New York City with offices in Los Angeles and Madrid. Combining theater, performance and architecture, the firm’s notable work includes hospitality, luxury housing, airport terminals, cultural institutions, scenography, product, exhibitions and festivals. Rockwell’s honors include a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for She Loves Me; two Emmy Awards for production design for the Oscars (2021 and 2010); a National Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for excellence in interior design; and the Presidential Design Award.
