Carmelo Zappulla, Italian-born architect (1978), is founder and managing director of the Barcelona-based architecture studio External Reference, which develops international work at different scales: exhibition spaces, hospitality, retail, architecture, urban, interior and product design. Graduated with honours and special mention from the University of Palermo, and with a PhD (European Mention) with honours from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Zappulla, always interested in research linked to new technologies and materials, has in recent years adopted for his studio a “cradle to cradle” approach, where architecture is composed of elements compatible with a circular economy and which allow for their complete reuse. At the helm of External Reference, the architect has developed his interest in innovation applied to design using the latest computational and parametric tools. His research into geometric patterns and complex morphologies has allowed him to explore new formal repertoires and constructive solutions in the world of digital fabrication that have been applied in the academy and in the numerous innovative projects carried out in more than 15 years of the studio’s activity.At the helm of External Reference, the architect has developed his interest in innovation applied to design using the latest computational and parametric tools. His research into geometric patterns and complex morphologies has allowed him to explore new formal repertoires and constructive solutions in the world of digital fabrication that have been applied in the academy and in the numerous innovative projects carried out in more than 15 years of the studio’s activity.