ITALIAN DESIGN DAY 2026

On the occasion of the 10th Italian Design Day (IDD), Tiziano Vudafieri was appointed as the Italian Design Ambassador to Vietnam. This year’s theme, "RE-DESIGN. Regenerating Spaces, Objects, Ideas, Relations," served as the foundation for two institutional events focused on the role of design as a catalyst for sustainable urban and cultural growth.

Nguyễn Phan Thùy Dương, Managing Editor of ELLE Decoration Vietnam, moderated both sessions, fostering an insightful dialogue between Italian and Vietnamese perspectives.

The Dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City: Urban Regeneration
The first part of the mission took place in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by the Consulate General of Italy. During the talk held at RuNam d’Or, Tiziano Vudafieri engaged with renowned architect Ngo Viet Nam Son in a conversation centered on "Sense of Place." The dialogue explored how architecture can act as a value-generator for contemporary communities, transforming urban landscapes while maintaining a deep connection to their identity. As highlighted by the Consul General Alessandra Tognonato, Italy continues to serve as a global "laboratory of regeneration," offering innovative models for balancing historical heritage with modern development.

The Symposium in Hanoi: Heritage and Layering
The mission continued in Hanoi, where the Embassy of Italy hosted a symposium at the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) to celebrate the university’s 60th anniversary.

Addressing an audience of students and professionals, Tiziano Vudafieri shared his vision on the concept of "Layering." Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Gio Ponti — who believed that original ideas emerge from the accumulation of cultural inputs — the discussion focused on how contemporary design should not aim for isolated novelty, but rather for a conscious reinterpretation of existing heritage. The panel featured prominent local voices including Dr. Nguyễn Cao Lãnh, Arch. Hoàng Thúc Hào, and Arch. Trung Mai.

Designing Relationships
This mission reaffirms Vudafieri-Saverino Partners' commitment to a design approach where architecture is, above all, about designing relationships. By bridging different cultures and urban contexts, the Italian Design Day 2026 in Vietnam demonstrated that regeneration is not just a technical challenge, but a human and cultural necessity.