Elena Manferdini

Elena Manferdini is a Professor and the coordinator of the Graduate Thesis Program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Civil Engineering (Bologna, Italy) and a master’s in architecture and urban design from UCLA. As the founder of Atelier Manferdini (2004), her practice focuses on multi-scale design methodologies and interdisciplinary cultural contributions. She has also served as a visiting professor at Cornell University and Seika University.

Her research interests emphasize architecture’s role in culture, technology integration, and sustainable urban development. She actively participates in academic discourse through lectures and design studios, blending practice and pedagogy. Notably, she received a 2011 USA Grant for Architecture and Design, highlighting her innovative contributions. At SCI-Arc, she teaches graduate and undergraduate design studios and technology seminars, fostering a generation of architects engaged with contemporary challenges.