Interview with Marco Mangili | Salvioni Design Solutions
7 luglio 2025
Marco Mangili is the founder of the international architecture firm Marco Mangili Associati, based in Barlassina (Milan), which later evolved into MMA Projects, and of Dynamic Design, a project management consultancy studio founded in Dubai in 2014. These two entities offer clients integrated solutions, ranging from residential and commercial complexes to headquarters and hotels.
Tell us about your work. How did your journey in the world of design and architecture begin?
My journey began with interior design and a deep passion for the world of architecture, which led me to establish the studio in 1999. Over time, the firm not only expanded by hiring many professionals in the field, but also began engaging more and more with international markets. The connection with Dubai and the need to personally oversee large-scale projects led me to travel frequently and spend extended periods abroad.
Later, in 2014, you founded a second studio, Dynamic Design, in Dubai. What led you to take this important step? What is it like managing businesses located so far apart?
Since its founding, MMA Projects has gradually evolved, becoming increasingly independent and well-established. Today, as part of its growth, MMA Projects has brought on board several key individuals to help manage different markets. Two long-standing collaborators are now part of the company’s leadership: architect Alessandro Vaghi, who acts as the managing director for MMA Projects and oversees the Italian and Chinese markets; and interior designer Dorotea De Simone, who handles interior projects and all communication aspects of the firm.
In 2013, after winning several major design competitions, it became clear that we needed a third-party firm to manage large projects. As is often the case, large companies rely on local external firms for coordination, administration, and client relationships. Recognizing this need, in 2014 I decided to take on a new challenge by opening a company specifically for this purpose. To do so, I moved to Dubai, where Dynamic Design is currently based. It wasn’t a simple step, especially since it involved my entire family. My partner and co-founder of the firm, Dorotea De Simone, joined me on this important journey.
Relocating to Dubai marked a radical shift in my life, but even back then I knew it was the only viable option. Such a close relationship with the Middle East could only be managed locally, without intermediaries or external partners.
What can you tell us about Dubai? What is it like to work in a country so different from the European and Western model? What does it mean to launch and manage a project there?
A unique aspect of this part of the world is that every client is extremely demanding and likes to be actively involved in every phase of a project. Flexibility is therefore essential and highly valued, as projects often start one way and end in a completely different form due to market demands or economic considerations. This is especially true for B2B projects, which are characterized by short timelines and highly dynamic processes.
On the other hand, private villas require completely different timelines. Developing residential complexes generally involves longer, more complex steps.
What might appear frustrating from the outside is often quite stimulating and rewarding, as the final result tends to be highly satisfying. It also offers the chance to experiment in ways that are not always possible in other parts of the world.
MMA Projects stands out for the diversity of styles and sectors it operates in, from residential to commercial, from hospitality to retail. Tell us about this cross-disciplinary approach. How do you navigate such varied fields?
One key reason behind MMA Projects’ success is surely the “Italian soul” at its core, which is highly appreciated, especially in private residential projects. The Made in Italy identity is in great demand as it guarantees a style that has always made history. Our studio's distinctive Italian taste is enriched by external influences.
Those of us working globally know that the best way to enhance your own design culture is by blending it with local preferences—this gives rise to fresh, creative solutions that would be unimaginable otherwise. In this sense, MMA Projects draws its strength from the ability to embrace and elevate cultural influences, taking the best from each.
Tell us more about Dubai, a megacity born from the desert that has seen its size multiply dramatically in just a few years through grandiose works and architectural challenges. What is life like there?
One of the most striking things about Dubai is the absence of limits. Living here, you feel the boundless potential to create and carry out projects that would be unthinkable elsewhere. I often encounter surreal ideas, both good and bad, that are driven by a desire to push the boundaries of human capability and imagination.
Dubai itself is a representation of that ambition: born from the desert in a place seemingly without appeal, it is now a true trading hub between the Middle East and the Far East. Investors from around the world have poured capital into Dubai, giving rise to an ambitious urban landscape designed with the explicit goal of standing out and continuously expanding.
For a Westerner, an initial sense of disorientation is inevitable. Dubai lacks the dense network of streets and alleys typical of European cities, whose history shaped their gradual development. Instead, you find massive districts and urban areas connected by highways. Within individual districts, however, it’s possible to find more human-scale neighborhoods. The economic center, on the other hand, is more akin to Manhattan, with skyscrapers and constantly evolving structures.
What do you see in the future of interior design? What changes do you foresee in the homes of tomorrow?
The world today is in constant transformation, especially after COVID, with digitalization and ever-faster connections... everything is accelerating. Yet I consider myself, and always will be, a romantic. I like to believe that the essence of design won’t change drastically, because the artistic component inherent in every project is essential.
Dialogue and the open exchange of ideas are unavoidable and will always require specific channels, especially conversational and visual ones. Certainly, approaches and communication methods will evolve, but I believe the importance and strength of human connection, “the encounter”, will continue to play a vital role in our relationships.
