Annotations cc: Davide Maccari

Navigating the intersection of design, neuroscience, and personal transformation, Davide Maccari brings a perspective shaped by both analytical precision and creative exploration. Engaging with the shift from specialization to multidisciplinarity, the evolving relationship between technology and creativity, and how environments shape both our physical and mental states, this dialogue reveals how questioning convention and embracing uncertainty can lead to a deeper sense of purpose.

A: In your design approach, I see layers of well-researched narratives. How has that developed?

D: A few years ago, I held a corporate position in Paris and planned to transition to a banking role in London. However, those plans fell through due to the global pandemic. As I reflected on moving forward, I realized that I’ve always wanted to run my own practice — one that can be described in terms of health and design. During that time, I delved into neuroscience, which influenced my creative process (even though I don’t consider myself inherently creative) and deepened my understanding of how environments impact our well-being. I was particularly surprised by how significantly our surroundings affect our body, mind, and energy. That period eventually led me to Copenhagen, where I began working in the fashion industry. From there, I developed my design practice and am now also working on a health goods brand.

A: You mentioned a background in finance, where you seemed to be on autopilot in a smooth routine, until a crisis forced you to reassess your direction. You likely faced hesitation or doubt. How did you navigate that shift, and what tools have you relied on?

D: The shift was challenging, with many implications. I often rely on a rational framework: taking the time to understand each process, weigh pros and cons, and define what I truly want. The personal vision is what matters most. From the outside, my life seemed to be on the right trajectory, but I had built a lifestyle that didn’t actually fit me, one I maintained just to sustain a certain way of living. I went deep within myself and spent time clarifying my goals. Finding that clarity, in relationships, spirituality, work, or any other area, is crucial. It gives life meaning and purpose, and it's the reason you wake up every morning.

A: You refer to the significance of reflection. In today’s fast pace, many fall into a repetitive cycle that dulls mindfulness. This loss of awareness affects the majority, even if it’s unhealthy. At times, you might even question yourself for resisting the norm. What led you to multidisciplinary science?

D: It started with questioning my own path, wondering whether I was following society’s expectations or my own desires. That introspection led me to explore health and self-development, which eventually drew me to neuroscience, and even physics and philosophy. I immersed myself in books about health and related topics, and I found that the many unanswered questions in these fields made them incredibly fascinating.

A: The process of questioning is exciting. Often, the more you ask, the more you discover. You began with a personal need to understand yourself, and in doing so, you reconnected with your inner creativity — an ability to recognize the relations between seemingly unrelated things, sometimes operating almost subconsciously, to bring new ideas to life. How do you define creativity?

D: I see creativity as the ability to integrate different inputs, some from within and others from the environment, to shape an outcome. It is about bringing internal and external influences together into something tangible. I believe that creative intelligence is just one of many forms of intelligence. Just as AI generates results based on stimuli, our brains work similarly: we receive stimuli, process them, and produce an outcome. That underscores my analytical approach to creative thinking. How do you see new technology shaping design as a practice?

A: The creative process has always required a physical element, even with the rise of software that has dramatically accelerated workflows. This speed is incredible for testing variations, yet the core design process remains rooted in human creativity. AI is a fantastic tool for refinement and efficiency, but the essence of creative thought is still uniquely human. It’s a romantic collaboration between the trained practitioner and the highly skilled artificial intelligence. There’s an exciting, if not intimidating, future ahead.

D: I agree. There’s an increasing shift from specialization to generalization in many disciplines. I believe that as automation and AI take over many tasks, we’ll be able to step back and focus on being truly human — leveraging machines as tools while retaining our creative and emotional capacities.

A: Capacities integral for crafting designs that cut across disciplines. How do you integrate optimization while exploring an aesthetic language?

D: Ideally, I would streamline everything within a space. Aesthetics reflect my evolving identity, shaped by my surroundings. Practically, sustainability is at the forefront. That’s why the concept of a brand comes into play. It’s about curating a room or space where everything is designed to shape the environment and, in turn, ourselves.

A: I’ve always been troubled by how rigidly room typologies are assigned a single function. Over time, with the advent of open-plan living, those boundaries have shifted. Gender roles and societal expectations have also influenced the layout of spaces. We need well-defined areas that expand and externalize our inner world, while allowing for an organic development. In a hybrid space seemingly conflicting functions coexist. What are your thoughts on this approach?

D: I’ve been exploring how to translate architectural concepts and their core principles into smaller scales. There are studies emphasizing the importance of designated spaces for different activities, a concept that wasn’t as prevalent when apartments were originally designed. I find it fascinating to challenge these norms because it challenges conventional numerical or logical models. Good decisions sometimes stem from ideological convictions, much like the concept of hybrid spaces in architecture. Bringing together elements that might seem incongruent can create beauty. I find it incredibly interesting to question why things are the way they are and to explore the limits imposed by society.

A: Sometimes, the process of discovery leads to new insights and a new “why,” which can be incredibly beautiful.

D: Often we start with a “how” or “what” that eventually leads us to a deeper understanding of our “why.” This is especially true for creatives and specialists, where the process itself reveals the underlying purpose.

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Text: Anoe Melliou

Images: Design Series by Davide Maccari, Photography by Tobias Hoffmann, Art Direction by Carla Maria Pecho