Stefania Rinaldi, the founder of Studio Rinaldi, was born in Padova, Italy and has enjoyed a successful and varied career working on a wide range of notable projects in both Europe and the U.S.
Stefania’s vision has been shaped by her experiences working and living in some of the world’s most vibrant and creative cities. While studying at the University of Venice, she became fascinated with the Guggenheim Museum extension project and chose this as her thesis subject. In 1988 she travelled to New York City, where she gained extraordinary access to the museum’s archives and collections, including rare Frank Lloyd Wright drawings and archival material. This research was conducted under the tutelage of renowned University of Venice Department Chairman A.R. Burelli. In 1991 Stefania earned a magna cum laude Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Venice’s Institute of Architecture.
While studying at university, Stefania published numerous essays and articles in magazines, including Interni (Italy), Wohn Revue (Switzerland), Process Architecture (Japan) and for the Museum of Architecture of Ljubljana’s (Slovenia) private collection. She also collaborated with her father, world-renowned industrial furniture designer Gastone Rinaldi, who in 1954 won the first Compasso d’Oro prize for chair design.
In 1992, Stefania returned to New York to join Eisenman Architects, where she worked on a range of projects, many of which were submitted for competitions. In particular, she was part of the design team for the Max Reinhardt Haus in Berlin. She then remained in New York, working with several well-respected firms, including Adam Tihany International; George Ranalli Architect, where she was part of the design team for K-Loft in Manhattan’s Chelsea area; and Michael Schmitt Architects, for which she co-designed the lobby and exterior façade of 30 East 65th Street.
In 1998 Stefania established her own New York firm, Studio Rinaldi, focusing on architecture, interior design, furniture design and landscape design. Many of its projects, both in the U.S. and Europe, have attracted considerable interest and have been the subject of studies by university graduate students. They have also been featured in influential architectural publications.In 2005, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum invited Stefania to submit her work for the National Design Awards for Architecture and Design. She has also designed gardens for Bette Midler’s celebrated, non-profit New York Restoration Project, including the Community Garden in East Harlem and the Community Garden in South Bronx. Both proposals were carried out on a pro bono basis.
In 2007 Stefania relocated Studio Rinaldi to London where she is a chartered member of RIBA and is an ARB registered architect. She continues to work on projects both in the U.K. and internationally, taking on varied work for both private and commercial clients. She is known for consistently maintaining high
