Born in Italy in 1959, Giovanni d’Ambrosio has an artistic background, having studied graphic design and architecture in Rome.
His professional career spans a diverse range of disciplines, including architecture, industrial design, graphic arts, writing, and teaching.

Architecture
In his early career, Giovanni d’Ambrosio was a student and later an employee in the studio of architect Luigi Pellegrin, where he worked on architectural design and industrialisation models. He subsequently joined the studio of architect Piero Sartogo, working on various international projects, including the design of Bulgari shops worldwide. He also had a brief tenure at the Sacripanti studio.
From 2004 to 2007, d’Ambrosio worked exclusively under contract with the Ray Group in Australia, where he contributed to numerous architectural projects. Highlights include the complete renovation of the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast and Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas in Queensland. He also designed a new mountain ski resort, the Balé Resort at Mount Hotham, Victoria, featuring 41 five-star apartments, and managed the master plan and villa construction in the Dinner Plain area. The White House and Roughies restaurants are among other key projects during this period. His chalet project, Under the Moonlight House, received extensive international media coverage.
Between 2011 and 2018, d’Ambrosio led his team of 13 architects in designing master plans and developing resorts and private residences across Indonesia, including:

•  Komune Surfer Resort (Keramas, Bali 2011): a 4-hectare site, recognised as the island’s first dedicated surf resort.
•  La Luce Ristorante Italiano (Jakarta 2015): An Italian rooftop restaurant located atop the Banca Sinarmas skyscraper.
•  Merthasary Public Space Masterplan (Bali Government, Merthasary Bali, 2016): A comprehensive urban planning project.
•  Eden Pool-Court Sheraton (Beachwalk, Kuta, Bali 2017): A pool and recreational area enhancement at Sheraton resort.
•  Tabuhan Island Retreat Resort (Banjuangy, Java 2017): An eco-sustainable island retreat focused on harmony with the natural environment.

Industrial Design
D’Ambrosio began his industrial design career in the early 1990s. In 1995, he presented his own furniture line in collaboration with the Pozzi company at the Milan Furniture Fair. That same year, Abitare magazine (issue no. 344) recognised him as one of the Best Young Italian Designers.
His work gained further international recognition when three of his products were featured in the International Design Yearbook, in the 1997 and 1999 editions, curated by Philippe Starck and Jasper Morrison, respectively.
In 2001, his Biosfera lamp, designed for Firme di Vetro, was selected as one of the 100 Italian design objects representing Italy abroad in the exhibition Designs Objects on Tour.
Throughout his career, d’Ambrosio has maintained strong ties to the design and architectural community. He has been a member of the ADI (Association for Industrial Design), the Bruno Zevi Foundation, and in 1994, served on the Superior Council of the National Institute of Architecture (IN/ARCH).

Writing & Editorial Work
Giovanni d’Ambrosio is the author of two biographies published in the Universale di Architettura series:

•  Nomade Shiva Pop (1997), on Ettore Sottsass Jr.
•  Anthropological Design (2004), on Joe Colombo.

In 2002, he was responsible for the bibliographic research and graphic design of Luigi Pellegrin: Il Mestiere di Architetto, a monograph on the architect Luigi Pellegrin, published by Prospettive. He also curated the book’s visual criticism.
Additionally, d’Ambrosio co-edited La Guida sull’Architettura Organica and was responsible for its graphic design on behalf of the Bruno Zevi Foundation.

Graphic Design

Alongside his work in architecture and industrial design, Giovanni d’Ambrosio has completed numerous graphic design projects for major olive oil consortia, companies, and corporate brands.
He also designed the visual identity for the Bruno Zevi Foundation, including its logo, and was responsible for the graphic design of various institutional materials such as documents, awards, and architectural guides.

Awards

•  First Prize – ENIT Italian Pavilion for the Tourism Agency, as a team, 1989
•  Honorable Mention at the IN/ARCH Awards, Nordic Pavilion, Munich, Germany, 1991.
•  Finalist at the Aga Khan Awards in the Social Architecture section for a Kindergarten in Bali, 2001.
•  First Prize – Monti Tiburtini Tre Carcheggi di Scambio, Municipality of Rome with Carla Accardi and Andrea Stipa, 2001.
•  First Prize – For metal architecture, “Steel Award,” Australia (ASI) Lot 12 Mount Hotham, 2004.
•  First Prize – Urban Furniture Design Award, for the historic center of the city of Florence (sponsored by the University of Florence Industrial Design Course, Municipality of Florence, and Altagamma), 2003.
•  First Prize Ex Aequo — for the ADI (Association for Industrial Design) International Pavilion.
•  Second Prize – (Studio Pellegrin team) – Project for the Second University of Rome Tor Vergata, sponsored by the Municipality of Rome and produced for Salini Costruttori.

Parallel Activities

•  Invited to the 50th Anniversary of CIAM in Brescia, as one of 150 architects selected from across Europe.
•  Presented his work in Bali at Association Volume, an international architecture platform.
•  Selected by the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) as one of the leading Italian designers working abroad
•  www.contractitaliano.it/it’aziende-professionisti/9401
•  Invited to lecture and present his work at the Faculties of Architecture at Universities in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice.
•  Taught Industrial Design at several institutions, including: Quasar University Institute of Design, Rome. Academy of Fine Arts, Rome. IMBAR (National Institute of Bioarchitecture)
•  Participated in numerous round tables and conferences, including a panel for the Bruno Zevi Foundation on Giulio Carlo Argan held at MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts, Rome.