Politecnico di Milano Awards an Honorary Master’s Degree to Horacio Pagani. Where Design, Engineering and Vision Meet Excellence

A recognition of the vision that unites Art and Science

The Politecnico di Milano has awarded an Honorary Master’s Degree in Design & Engineering to Horacio Pagani, founder and Chief Designer of Pagani Automobili.
This honor celebrates a creative and professional journey that has successfully merged the humanistic approach of art with the rigor of engineering, giving life to a new way of conceiving high-performance sports cars.

Born in Argentina and passionate about automotive design from an early age, Pagani came to Italy to work at Lamborghini, where he led the Composites Division and began his pioneering research into materials — a hallmark of his career.
In 1998, he founded Pagani Automobili, marking the start of the hypercar era: vehicles of extraordinary performance that combine cutting-edge technology, material innovation, and a design devoted to beauty.

The event opened with institutional greetings from Rector Donatella Sciuto, followed by the Laudatio delivered by Professor Giorgio Colombo from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Pagani then gave a Lectio Magistralis to the academic community, sharing his design philosophy and emphasizing continuous research as the driving force behind innovation.

The official motivation for the honorary degree, read by Professor Francesco Zurlo, Dean of the School of Design, highlighted how Pagani’s work perfectly embodies the synthesis of art, science, and technology — a vision in which design and engineering are in constant dialogue, creating automobiles that are both sophisticated mechanical systems and genuine works of contemporary art.

The Exhibition at Bovisa: Zonda, Huayra, and Utopia

Coinciding with the ceremony, the exhibition The Shapes of Air – From Leonardo da Vinci to Pagani Utopia was inaugurated at the Bovisa Campus, curated by Pagani Automobili.
The exhibition explores a dialogue between Leonardo da Vinci’s vision — where art and ingenuity harmonize with the observation of nature — and Pagani’s design philosophy, grounded in experimentation, aesthetics, and technological innovation.

The exhibition features three landmark models in the brand’s history:

• Zonda Roadster F (2006) – A tribute to the winds of the Andes and to Juan Manuel Fangio, combining lightness, composite materials, and outstanding performance. Produced in only 25 units.
• Huayra Roadster (2017) – Inspired by the Andean god of wind, it represents the union of formal elegance and aerodynamic research, with advanced technical solutions.
• Utopia (2022) – The latest synthesis of Pagani’s design philosophy: innovative materials, perfect balance between aesthetics and engineering, and artisanal craftsmanship. Produced in 99 units.

Venue and Opening Hours

Building B2, Bovisa Durando Campus – Via Candiani 72, Milan
Open until December 12, 2025, Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM

The honorary degree awarded to Horacio Pagani celebrates a journey that embodies the three pillars of the Politecnico’s culture: creativity, scientific research, and technological innovation.
It stands as a testament to how an integrated education in design and engineering can generate value, not only for industry but also for the broader culture of design itself.