From Passion to Profession: Leading Enari with Ermanno

An architect's journey from Italian art studios to Singapore's sustainable design frontier

From the artistic influences of his grandfather's attic studio in Italy to the technical and creative challenges of leading Enari Architects, Ermanno's journey in architecture has been one of passion and purpose.

As head of Enari Architects, he combines artistic vision with engineering precision to create community-focused spaces that work. Here's his story—from early influences to current projects and future vision.

1. Can you tell us about your background and how you got into architecture?

Art has always been central to my life. Growing up, I spent summer evenings in my grandfather's attic studio in Italy, where he painted and sculpted. That's where I first picked up painting.

In school, art and philosophy were the subjects that truly engaged me. But I also discovered I had a knack for mathematics. This combination—plus a growing interest in buildings and their technical aspects—pointed me toward architecture.

When choosing a university program, I went for a hybrid Engineering/Architecture degree. It was during late high school that I encountered Antoni Gaudí's work. His designs helped crystallize what I wanted to do professionally.

2. What is your role at Enari and what are your main responsibilities?

Leading the studio involves juggling multiple aspects. Design remains my core passion, but I'm equally invested in project execution—bringing designs to life and solving the challenges that come with planning and construction.

A big part of my role involves engaging stakeholders, mediating different requirements, and taking on leadership responsibilities. Architects are uniquely positioned to lead projects, and I believe leadership means service—acting for the greater good.

Beyond design and leadership, there are business aspects to manage. From ensuring sustainable project flow to strategic growth planning and technology integration, the role demands attention to many different areas. I enjoy wearing different hats and being involved across this range of responsibilities.

3. What has been your favorite project so far and why?

While every project involves personal investment, Chong Pang City stands out. We're collaborating with CIAP Architects on this Singapore government project, and it hits all the right notes for what excites me about architecture.

It's a public building designed for community use, with multi-functional spaces open to the city. The design is highly climate-responsive, specific to Singapore's context, and it's a super-low energy building with sustainability at its core. What makes it truly special is the collaboration—it represents a synthesis of visions from community leaders, government agencies, consultants, and builders all working together.

We're looking at completion in about two years, and the team is excited to see this vision realized.

4. Can you share a memorable experience or lesson learned during your time at Enari?

Walking through one of our first completed projects, Tai Seng Exchange in Singapore, was both humbling and exciting. Architecture is the product of many people working together, yet seeing those late-night schematic drawings translated into reality—that feeling is hard to describe.

The biggest lesson I've learned is how much we depend on others. This doesn't reduce our responsibility; we still need to focus on what we can control. But it highlights that we're limited if we can't engage others with our vision. Architecture goes beyond design. It's about how we listen, understand, relate to, and earn trust from the people we work with.

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of the team at Enari?

Our team drives everything we do. My job is helping everyone find meaning and purpose in their work—fortunately, that's not hard when everyone shares a passion for architecture and design.

We have team members from different parts of the world, and we maintain an informal environment that fosters creativity and open collaboration. Everyone takes pride and feels ownership in their project contributions. When we build together, differences fade. We're on equal footing, united by a common purpose and working toward a shared objective. That's the magic of architecture—and maybe a model for how society can work.

6. What are the most important skills an architect should possess?

Soft skills are critical in our profession. While design talent is important, it's not the most challenging aspect. The real challenge is bringing people along to ensure projects happen.

Emotional intelligence, clear communication, and the ability to read situations and interpret messages are essential. How you communicate, carry yourself, and respond to external input—sometimes unexpected—these are difficult but crucial skills that can make a significant difference in your career. These human relations skills, combined with creativity and design ability, are what truly matter.

7. How do you see architecture evolving in the next 5-10 years, and how will Enari adapt?

Change is inevitable—we need to embrace it while staying true to ourselves. Sometimes that means tuning out noise to find what makes us unique and valuable to clients.

AI is spreading rapidly into every aspect of work. The challenge is using it meaningfully, which isn't straightforward. At Enari, our boutique size gives us advantages. We're agile and can quickly incorporate new workflows. We operate with a strategy rather than rigid planning, which allows flexibility while pushing us to provide the best possible service to our clients. The crucial elements are motivation and flexibility to adapt, and at Enari, we have both.

8. Outside work, what are your hobbies or interests?

I'm pretty simple—I love reading when my boys, ages 3 and 5, give me the chance. Basketball is a real passion. When I'm not traveling, I start each day with 30-40 minutes shooting hoops.

Basketball taught me valuable lessons that apply to work: how to work as a team, how to subordinate ego for collective success, how to function within systems and hierarchies, and perhaps most importantly, to be passionate about rules. Rules create a fair playing field where we can excel without taking shortcuts. That last point is crucial—it's a value I try to pass on to my children daily.

9. What advice would you give someone considering a career in architecture?

Architecture can be one of the most fulfilling professions. It allows artistic expression while making a real impact on people's lives. But it's not for everyone.

I'd recommend seeking mentorship opportunities and connecting with professionals across different fields, not just architecture. In many ways, Architects can play relevant roles beyond traditional firms, so explore these diverse paths early. And remember, others' experiences are just that—theirs, not yours. Take all advice, including mine, with a grain of salt.

10. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I've always pushed myself out of my comfort zone, fighting against my naturally lazy side. This led to mistakes, but I don't regret any decisions—I believe things happen as they should.

Practically speaking, I'd tell my younger, architecture-student self to be more curious about the business side of the profession. These aspects are often overlooked in academia but prove crucial in practice. The balance between pushing boundaries and understanding practical constraints—that's something worth learning early.