Bio

Lavinia Fici Pasquina is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Technology and Media in Architecture and Interiors (TMAIN) Graduate Concentration as well as the Rome Foreign Program at the School of Architecture & Allied Arts of the Catholic University of America. Born in Italy, Lavinia received her first master’s degree in Architecture from the School of Architecture in Palermo Italy with Summa Cum Laude distinction. She then received her license to practice architecture in Italy in 1996, subspecializing in industrial design and interior architecture. After moving to the United States, she obtained her second Master’s Degree in Architecture from Catholic University, receiving the Henry Adams Medal and Certificate of Excellence in Architecture from the AIA, as well as the prestigious Paul A. Goettelman award for “Best of Thesis Prize”, while also obtaining awards for her residential architecture such as the “Excellence in Concrete Award”, in recognition of creative use of concrete on the project: “Re-House” in Maryland.

Since joining the faculty, Lavinia has instructed a variety of undergraduate and graduate architectural design studios and courses, ranging from introductory classes in basic design principles and drawing to advanced studios in computer 3D modeling, animation and movie making. Her academic successes lead to receiving the Provost’s “Award for Achievement in the Creative Arts”. Several of her studios have involved sponsored trips for students to design projects at remote sites with diverse themes, such as a “High End Casino” in Las Vegas, a “Data Center” in San Francisco, “Aging-in -Place” developments in Maryland, “contemporary Fish Market, Marina”, and “Wine Museums” in southern Italy. She also co-taught two semesters and led one expedition with Adjunct Prof Travis Price in “Spirit of Place, Spirit of Design”, where students designed and built an outdoor gathering and meditation space on the island of Pantelleria, Italy, inspired by mythological figures and translating vernacular architecture into modern ideals.  Her project gained several publications and the interest of an independent film-maker, who filmed and produced a documentary about the project.

Lavinia’s interest in exposing students to different cultures has inspired much of her work.  She continues to recognize the importance of cultural exchange and the intersection of different disciplines to challenge students to develop novel solutions to architectural challenges of the past and future. As Director of the Foreign Studies Programs for years and now as a leader professor for Rome-based studios she constantly finds new opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and academic growth.  Her experience in foreign studies includes securing grants to bring students to an international architectural design workshop in Favara, Italy, and most recently, she organized and led semesters dedicated to the study and culture imbedded within the ancient art of wine-making and applying this new knowledge in contemporary Winery and Museum design as well as multiple exhibits in at the Italian Embassy in DC for the studio work performed in Rome with the themes of “Inhabitable bridges on the Tiber”, “Food+arch+Sustainability” and “Hospitality design”. These semesters brought students from England to France to Southern Italy, and as south as Malta, culminating in several exhibitions of student work, opportunities for design competitions, publications, scholarships and grants, such as the last one been awarded for research on Disability and Automated Mobility, in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh in early 2022.

Her interests in “Media and Architecture” date back to her work in developing an “Architecture and Film” studio and exhibit at the Museum Palazzo D’Aumale in Terrasini, Italy. She has also led students in media presentations capturing advanced rehabilitation centers for injured military service members, smart home technology, and cutting-edge robotic design in collaboration with the HERL (Human Engineering Research Lab) at the University of Pittsburgh.  Upon her promotion to Associate Professor with tenure in 2006, she developed the Graduate Concentration: “Technology and Media in Architecture and Interiors (TMAIN)’. She has always been interested in exploring new technologies in design and the narrative behind any architectural project at any scale and whether through graphical (re-) presentation or in a video/movie. She is also currently writing a book on Wine and Architecture, exploring the connections between the unexpected pairing of two forms of human expression and showing the benefit of multidisciplinary approach to learning.

Lavinia remains active professionally, both in Italy and in the United States. Her experience has ranged from working in large firms, focusing on large-scale government and commercial buildings to small private firm, working on residential projects. In 2008, she started her own small boutique design studio, “Xhabition”, specializing in custom-built residential spaces, lately replaced with her new company opened in 2024, “Mareterranea”, specializing in the restoration of vernacular shelters on the island of Pantelleria to convert in micro-units for voyagers. Her designs have been published in such magazines as Spaces, Metropolitan Home, Elle Décor, Abitare, as well as in books such as Glamour and The Modern Residence. She has also been featured on two episodes of the television show, Garage take-over, aired nation-wide by Discovery Channel. Her European background, extensive study, appreciation of the history and the emotional side of architecture shaped her unique style and vision, ensuring her projects weather they are interior objects, jewelry, architectural or urban spaces not only merge creative design and sustainability but also their “fit” within the context of the global continuum.