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PROFILE
Entrepreneurial mindset: Christian Giordano President of Mancini Duffy, a national design firm based with a 100-year-old history and tech-forward approach specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
G iordano believes that the world of architecture and design is due for a reinvention. And, as he approaches his leadership role at Mancini Duffy (New York, NY) with the benefit of 20 years of experience, he’s well poised to push industry boundaries. Internal innovations include a research and development arm – the Design Lab – which focuses on technologies that create an immersive design process. “At Mancini Duffy, we’re working to create an entrepreneurial mindset – one that encourages new ideas and ways of looking at things,” Giordano says. “We’re also very cognizant of the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We want people to want to be here.” A CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTIAN GIORDANO. The Zweig Letter: Can you tell me what you have up your sleeve for reinvention? Christian Giordano: On one level, it starts with firm culture. There’s still a great deal of “old-school mentality” out there
when it comes to managing and leading an architecture and design firm. There’s a tremendous amount of young talent out there, but they’re often discouraged by the traditional hierarchy and, as a result, leave the profession. At Mancini Duffy, we’re working to create an entrepreneurial mindset – one that encourages new ideas and ways of looking at things. We’re also very cognizant of the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We want people to want to be here. On the tech side, we’ve authored a proprietary software that helps with speed of decision making. It combines REVIT with a virtual reality software. TZL: You have a podcast called The Anti-Architect and also sell some merchandise with that tagline. What’s behind the name? What are you hoping to achieve through this branding? During your podcasts, what’s been one of your more memorable guests/interviews and why? CG: It actually started with Zweig Group. I brought them in as a consultant after I bought the company and they suggested that I needed to become a thought leader. I’m not big on
THE ZWEIG LETTER JU
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