Paolo Pininfarina has been awarded The American Prize for Design for 2024 by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies in conjunction with Good Design® 2024.
The Chicago Athenaeum’s International Advisory Committee approved the prize nomination a month before Paolo’s untimely passing in April 2024 at the age of 65. The prestigious Laureate of The American Prize for Design award will be presented posthumously at ‘The City and The World’ Athens Symposium in Greece on September 21, 2024.
“Beautiful, stunning, provocative, and instant landmark classics define the hallmark of Pininfarina, a signature of any object designed under the supervision of Paolo Pininfarina,” said Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, President/CEO of The Chicago Athenaeum.
“Pininfarina is renowned for its extraordinary ability to create timeless beauty. Paolo was an expert in furniture, architectural, nautical, aeronautical, and industrial product design. His work seamlessly integrated Pininfarina’s automotive heritage with modern design, enhancing everyday lives. In the design world and beyond, he definitely had a larger-than-life, Hollywood Super Star persona.”
Paolo Pininfarina, born on August 28, 1958, in Turin, Italy, had an illustrious career spanning multiple decades. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin, he embarked on various international assignments, including roles at Cadillac, Honda, and General Motors.
In 1982, he joined Pininfarina, a company established by his grandfather, Battista “Pinin” Farina. By 1987, he became the President and CEO of Pininfarina Extra S.p.A., focusing on industrial, furniture, architectural, nautical, and aeronautical design.
In addition, he was also responsible for the decision to open a branch in Miami to develop the North and South American markets, particularly in architecture and product design. This branch has now become Pininfarina of America and has an office in New York.
Paolo’s leadership within Pininfarina was marked by his elevation to the Board of Directors in 1988 and his appointment as Vice President of Pininfarina S.p.A. in 2006. Following the sudden passing of his brother Andrea in 2008, he assumed the role of Chairman, steering the company towards numerous innovative ventures and expanding its global footprint.
Among the numerous projects he oversaw, Paolo cherished the creation of the Sergio concept car, a tribute to his father, Senator Sergio Pininfarina, and the Automobili Pininfarina Battista, an electric hypercar unveiled in 2019.
Silvio Angori, CEO of Pininfarina, expressed deep gratitude for Paolo’s contributions, saying, “This prestigious award for Eng. Pininfarina stirs mixed emotions. We’re saddened he can’t accept it personally, as it would have brought him joy. Yet, we are proud, as honouring Paolo Pininfarina means honouring Pininfarina’s essence and its Italian design legacy.
“We’re deeply grateful for his extraordinary contribution. The best way to honour him is to continue committing to Pininfarina’s future, as he would have wished.”
The American Prize for Design recognises design excellence, innovation, and contributions to humanity and the public good. Previous laureates include renowned figures such as Gorden Wagener, Norman Foster, Flavio Manzoni, and Karim Rashid.
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