Francesco Cingolani

Background

About Francesco Cingolani

Executive leader and systems thinker working at the intersection of civic innovation, culture, and sustainability. Originally trained in architecture and engineering, I’ve spent the last 15 years designing and leading high-impact initiatives that reimagine how we live, build, and collaborate in cities. I co-founded Volumes, one of Paris’s pioneering hubs for civic innovation and collaborative production (today operating three locations). Since 2019, I’ve served as Executive Director, expanding Volumes into a global innovation lab through European research projects such as CentrInno and Reflow (H2020), as well as through international consulting and training programs. In 2016, I founded Design by Data at École des Ponts ParisTech — France’s first master’s program in computational design and construction technology — to help shape a more sustainable and data-informed built environment. I previously served on the supervisory board of the Fab City Foundation, a global network of over 40 cities dedicated to building locally productive and globally connected urban models. I played a key role in launching the Paris node and co-organizing the Fab City Summit, which led to the formal establishment of the foundation. Most recently, I’m leading the launch of Infinito Delicias in Madrid — a sqm civic experimentation center promoted and funded by Fundación Daniel y Nina Carasso. Opening in September 2025, the project represents a bold impact investment in civic infrastructure, recognized by the Holcim Awards for its climate-conscious design. It blends cultural, social, and environmental innovation with a sustainable business model at its core. I’m passionate about building ecosystems that move beyond silos — connecting institutions, communities, and technologies to create lasting impact.