Oscar Di Domenico shares his vision for a project that aims to bring a deserted village in the Marche region back to life, blending heritage preservation, technological innovation, and understated luxury. At the same time, his studio is expanding globally with a new international headquarters, bringing Italian excellence to the world.

by Roberta Imbimbo

Architect, could you tell us how this project was conceived and what makes it unique within the landscape of Italian historic village restoration?
This project, still in the presentation phase, was born from a deep connection with the Marche region and from an awareness of its immense, often silent and endangered heritage. It involves an abandoned village in Pieve Torina, located in the seismic crater area of the Marche — a naturally stunning place that has gradually fallen silent due to earthquakes and depopulation. Our goal is not just to restore it, but to reactivate it — to awaken its soul. The approach is both “tailor-made” and “holistic”: every building, alley, and stone will be analyzed to recover its original function and reinterpret it in a contemporary way. It’s not a tourist stage set, but a living organism where homes, a scattered hotel, workshops, and community spaces coexist in harmony.

What are the main technical and architectural challenges in transforming an entire village into a luxury residence and scattered hotel?
The challenges are numerous and constant. The first concerns seismic strengthening of ancient, irregular, and complex buildings. Then comes the integration of advanced technologies — smart systems, climate control, and connectivity — within historic walls, without compromising their aesthetic integrity. Finally, there’s the logistical complexity of managing a widespread construction site with limited access, requiring maximum respect for the surrounding context.

How do you reconcile the preservation of historical heritage with the comfort and service expectations of a high-end international clientele?
Through the philological preservation of exteriors and a “controlled contamination” of interiors. We use local materials and traditional techniques, combined with contemporary design and technology. Light, stone, wood, and natural fabrics create a whispered, authentic luxury — where preservation becomes not a constraint, but an added value.

What kind of foreign investors are you targeting, and what opportunities does the Italian experiential tourism market offer?
We are addressing cultural, not speculative, investors — people who understand the value of beauty, history, and sustainability. Experiential tourism is rapidly expanding: today’s travelers seek authenticity, a connection with the land, and experiences rooted in gastronomy, craftsmanship, and tradition. Reviving a village means offering not just accommodation, but an authentic Italian way of life.

How important is integration with the local area — traditions, food and wine, landscape — for the success of a project like this?
It’s fundamental — I’d say it represents 90% of the project’s success. The village will serve as a gateway to the Marche region’s excellence, in collaboration with local winemakers, artisans, and chefs. The goal is to create an integrated ecosystem where guests experience the landscape and culture not as spectators, but as active participants.

The brand “ODD & Partners Architects – Oscar Di Domenico Architetto” and the new international headquarters

Why did you decide to adopt a renewed and more international brand identity?
The new brand, Di Domenico Architects, represents the natural evolution of our studio and its expansion into the global market. It maintains a strong link with our identity while speaking a universal language — reflecting a complex structure and a multidisciplinary team capable of managing high-profile international projects.

What values and vision do you want to convey through “Di Domenico Architects”?
The core values remain the same: roots — with respect for historical and landscape context; innovation — through sustainable and technological solutions; and craftsmanship. The tailor-made approach reflects my personal background — I come from a family of fashion entrepreneurs, where I learned that every creation must be unique, designed around the client’s needs and the spirit of the place. Our vision is to be ambassadors of an architectural Made in Italy, not just as a style but as a working method — one that blends creativity, attention to detail, and advanced engineering.

Where will the new international headquarters be located, and why was that destination chosen?
We chose Tirana for its strategic position as a global hub for luxury real estate and international investment. It’s a crossroads of cultures and talents that allows us to stay close to clients, partners, and major engineering firms, optimizing project management on a worldwide scale.

How will this international expansion change your studio’s positioning in the global architectural landscape?
It marks the transition from an Italian studio with an international outlook to a truly global one — firmly rooted in Italian tradition. It strengthens our competitiveness in luxury hospitality and high-end residential sectors, allowing us to export our expertise in heritage restoration worldwide.

What international projects are you currently considering, and which markets interest you the most?
We are evaluating luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and private villas in exceptional locations such as the Swiss Alps, the United States, and major European capitals like Paris and London. We’re also interested in Albania and Turkey, where real estate markets are rapidly growing. We aim to bring our Italian know-how to places where quality and craftsmanship are recognized and sought after.

Studio growth and future vision

How is your team structured today, and what new professional roles have you integrated?
The team has grown organically into a multidisciplinary group that includes architects, interior designers, landscape architects, lighting experts, and BIM specialists. We’ve also added professionals focused on business development and international project management to handle complex global relationships and operations.

What organizational model enables you to manage complex, multi-site projects?
We follow a hub-and-spoke model: the Italian office remains our creative and research center, while the international branch serves as the operational and commercial hub. Each project is coordinated by a project leader and managed in real time through digital platforms and shared BIM models.

What kind of international partnerships or collaborations are you building to support your growth?
We collaborate with local architecture and engineering firms in various countries for regulatory management and site supervision, as well as with real estate companies and global luxury hospitality brands. These alliances allow us to access new opportunities while ensuring excellence in project execution.

How does international exposure influence your studio’s design culture and architectural language?
It has a major, positive impact. Engaging with diverse cultures and contexts enriches our design language while preserving our strong Italian identity. Our signature remains attention to detail, material quality, and the continuous dialogue between history and modernity.

Looking ahead, what are your main ambitions — consolidating your presence in Italy or accelerating international expansion?
The two directions complement each other. Italy remains our laboratory of excellence, where we continue to experiment, particularly in the restoration of historic villages. These experiences are our business card abroad and the foundation of our international growth.

If you had to summarize the philosophy connecting the restoration of Italian villages, your new brand, and the studio’s international expansion, what would be the common thread?
The common thread is the idea of “beauty that creates value.” Whether we are awakening a sleeping Italian village or designing a resort on a foreign coast, our approach is always the same: we start from the unique identity of a place to create extraordinary experiences — and, consequently, enduring value. Restoring villages has taught us to work with the soul of places. The new brand, Di Domenico Architects, communicates this sensibility to a global audience. International expansion is the natural outcome of this vision — exporting not just an architectural style, but a working method that places culture, history, and quality at its core, transforming them into a strategic asset for the future. Ultimately, we build bridges between past and future, between local and global.

Founded in 2023 and led by GAVEFER Srl, the International Uro-Andrological Center was created with the goal of placing the individual and their health back at the heart of medical practice, moving beyond a corporate-style approach that risks reducing the patient to a mere number. At the helm of the project is Mr. Raffaele Ferrara, founder and CEO of the company, who has built a center of excellence supported by a team of top-level urological specialists. The mission is to provide comprehensive and personalized care capable of meeting diverse clinical needs through integrated and effective treatment pathways.

By Roberta Imbimbo

Mr. Ferrara, as founder and CEO of the International Uro-Andrological Center, what vision guided you in creating this institution, and what do you believe makes your Center a reference point in the national urological landscape?
My vision stems from both personal and professional experience that led me to observe how modern medicine often risks drifting away from the individual. With the International Uro-Andrological Center, I wanted to create a place where the patient truly returns to the center of the care pathway: welcomed, listened to, and followed with attention and respect — not just as a clinical case, but as a human being. Our strength lies in the integration of technological innovation, clinical excellence, and human connection. We chose to collaborate with top-tier specialists to offer solutions that are both effective and sustainable in the patient’s daily life. For me, the Center represents the result of an ethical and professional project that looks to the future of healthcare with responsibility and passion.

Your management approach and the philosophy of the Center highlight how central the quality of care is to your work. Focusing now on the pathologies you treat, let’s begin with one of the most common: BPH. Prof. Garaffa, what is BPH and why is it so widespread?
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is an extremely common condition characterized by the benign enlargement of the prostate, typically occurring after the age of 50. Although it is not a cancerous disease, BPH can cause a range of symptoms that significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. The most common include difficulty starting urination, a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, frequent urination — especially at night — and a weak urinary stream. If left untreated, BPH can also affect psychological and sexual well-being, influencing personal comfort and relationships. This is why it is essential to promote regular urological check-ups starting at age 50, or earlier in cases of symptoms or family history.

How is BPH managed at the International Uro-Andrological Center?
We adopt an integrated, tailored approach. It begins with a comprehensive evaluation, including specialist tests such as transrectal prostate ultrasound, uroflowmetry, and PSA measurement. Based on the diagnosis, we develop a personalized treatment plan that may include drug therapy, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery when necessary. The goal is always the same: maximum effectiveness with minimal impact on the patient’s daily life.

Dr. Venturino, one of your specialties lies in minimally invasive techniques. Could you tell us more about them?
We use advanced methods that allow us to treat BPH without compromising sexual function. For example, the Rezum technique uses water vapor to reduce prostate tissue, while Optilume employs an endourethral balloon that releases a medication acting locally on the tissues, maintaining urethral patency and preventing progressive obstruction — a typical consequence of BPH. These approaches help preserve ejaculatory function and drastically reduce recovery times, avoiding hospitalization and minimizing surgical trauma. It’s a more respectful and modern way to treat a very common condition.

Mr. Ferrara, what are the future prospects for the International Uro-Andrological Center?
To grow in quality, not quantity. We aim to strengthen our model of integrated medicine, expand collaborations, and introduce new technologies. Most importantly, we want to continue raising public awareness about the importance of urological prevention — because the first step in healing… is knowing.

The new therapeutic frontiers for the treatment of proctological disorders have finally become a reality, thanks to an innovative approach based on the use of PRP and its valuable cellular growth factors, which offer patients effective, minimally invasive, and painless therapeutic solutions. This represents one of the most advanced frontiers of regenerative proctology — an achievement that earned Dr. Marco Cosimi, a proctologic surgeon from Rome, the title of “Excellence of the Year 2025 in Proctology” in the Healthcare & Pharma category at the Le Fonti Awards, the prestigious prize dedicated to Italian excellence in healthcare, consulting, and enterprise. The fifteenth edition was held on March 13th at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan’s Piazza Affari. Dr. Cosimi graduated in Medicine and Surgery from La Sapienza University of Rome with top marks and later specialized in General Surgery. He has never stopped enriching his expertise, as demonstrated by his numerous specializations: in 1990 in General Surgery at the 3rd Surgical Clinic directed by Prof. Giorgio Di Matteo (La Sapienza, Rome); in 1995 he completed his specialization in Vascular Surgery at the school directed by Prof. Di Giovanni at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome; and in 2001 he obtained a specialization in Urology under Prof. Micali at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. This multidisciplinary medical-scientific background has allowed him to approach pelvic pathophysiology from the most innovative perspectives.

By Roberta Imbimbo

Dr. Cosimi, what are the current therapeutic indications for the use of PRP in proctology?
Regenerative therapy with PRP is now able to provide a definitive and painless therapeutic response in the treatment of major and troublesome proctological conditions such as anal fissures. Thanks to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic power, the valuable growth factors released by the patient’s platelets and white blood cells rapidly eliminate local inflammation while repairing the damaged tissue of the fissure, stimulating scar-free healing with biologically healthy cells, collagen, and elastin naturally produced by the patient — without the possible complications of surgery. The growth factors released from the patient’s autologous platelets, obtained through a simple 60 ml blood draw, will in the near future provide an effective outpatient therapeutic response to painful inflammatory conditions such as anal fissures (https://metodocosimi.it/fistole/). The reparative action of PRP is locally mediated by protein pseudo-hormones known as growth factors, released into the biological tissue of anal fissures and into the bloodstream, triggering a local biological, reparative, and anti-inflammatory response.

Does the outpatient procedure cause pain for the patient?
The blood collection procedure is simple and painless. A small 60 ml sample of the patient’s blood is drawn and immediately centrifuged in the clinic within minutes. Under local anesthesia, the anal fissure is injected quickly and completely painlessly. The technique is therefore minimally invasive, allowing the proctologist to resolve even the most extensive, deep, and painful chronic fissures in one or more sessions. In cases of anal fistulas, PRF can effectively close the fistula openings without scarring or postoperative pain. In fact, both PRP and PRF, by their very biological nature, have strong anti-inflammatory action. The procedure requires no hospitalization or day surgery, allowing patients to return to work quickly.

How do growth factors act once injected into the lesion?
Once injected into the lesion, growth factors rapidly begin to heal damaged tissues while reducing local inflammation. This makes the treatment particularly suitable for painful anorectal conditions such as anal fissures. Recent research has highlighted the importance of these growth factors — tiny proteins that act as “pseudo-hormones,” communicating with surrounding tissues. Growth factors produced by platelets and inflammatory cells can modulate local inflammation and pain while optimizing the cellular regeneration process. By combining the natural activity of these growth factors with additional thermo-photonic stimulation induced in platelet-rich plasma immediately after centrifugation — performed directly in the same clinic — regenerative proctology now has the potential to revolutionize treatment, increasing the PRP growth factor concentration more than threefold and enabling faster healing of selected proctological conditions through precise, effective, and non-invasive approaches.

What is the future of Regenerative Proctology?
With the progress of medical and scientific research, these techniques have now become a true cornerstone of regenerative medicine and proctology, guaranteeing patients rapid results. Our own platelets, white blood cells, and the growth factors they produce offer a modern, painless outpatient treatment pathway for even complex and painful proctological disorders — without the need for invasive surgery and eliminating the risks associated with surgical complications. In conclusion, the regenerative approach using PRP and PRF represents a significant step forward for modern proctology. These effective, non-invasive treatments allow patients to resume their daily activities quickly while ensuring high therapeutic quality for those suffering from anal fissures, perianal and sacrococcygeal fistulas.

For more information: metodocosimi.it • youtube.com/@metodocosimi • info@metodocosimi.it

Fewer Risks, Better Results: Laser Surgery for BPH Explained by One of Italy’s Leading Experts

In Italy, over 30,000 surgeries for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are performed each year using traditional methods such as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). Yet today, there are more effective, less invasive alternatives with fewer post-operative complications. We discuss this evolution with Dr. Giovanni Ferrari, urologist and founder of C.Ur.E. – Centro Urologico Europeo, a nationally recognized facility specializing in laser technologies and the training of medical professionals. The center has combined clinical excellence with patient-centered care through an organizational model based on collaboration, professional freedom, and shared responsibility.

By Roberta Imbimbo

Dr. Ferrari, in Italy there are still more than 30,000 BPH cases treated each year with traditional methods like TURP. What are the limits of this approach today?
For a century, TURP has been the standard procedure for BPH surgery, but recent scientific studies have revealed significant limitations: it is an invasive technique that requires longer hospitalization, carries a higher risk of bleeding and sexual side effects, and involves slow post-operative recovery with possible long-term recurrences. Moreover, in elderly patients or those with other medical conditions, TURP can be too aggressive.

What are the alternatives available today for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Today we have at our disposal both minimally invasive and laser-based technologies that represent a real breakthrough in BPH management. Laser solutions, in particular, have revolutionized the treatment of this condition by offering high clinical effectiveness with much less impact on the patient’s quality of life compared to traditional methods. These techniques allow for the precise and safe removal of obstruction, even in cases of large prostates, with minimal bleeding. The benefits for the patient are clear: precision and speed of intervention, significantly reduced risk of bleeding complications, very short hospital stay (often performed in day-surgery), rapid return to daily activities, minimal impact on sexual and ejaculatory function, lower risk of incontinence, and long-lasting results with a marked improvement in quality of life. With equal surgical experience, the laser approach drastically reduces the need for long-term reintervention thanks to more complete removal of the prostatic adenoma. It is a modern, customizable, and safe surgery that now represents the standard of care in specialized centers such as C.Ur.E. We firmly believe that adopting these technologies is not merely a technical choice but an act of responsibility toward the patient—treating them in the best possible way with the least possible impact.

Can you explain the difference between the various laser technologies in use today—Green Laser, Holmium, and Thulium—and when one is chosen over another?
Today, more than ever, it’s not enough to know the technology—you must know how to interpret it. The laser technologies available—Green Laser, Holmium, and Thulium—are all highly effective; there is no single “best” technique. What makes the real difference is the surgeon’s clinical awareness and ability to tailor the method not only to the prostate but also to the patient and the surgical context. The laser is a powerful and versatile tool, but it is the surgeon’s mind, skill, and experience that determine the outcome. The choice depends not only on prostate size but also on the surgeon’s expertise, familiarity with a specific technology, and the equipment available at the facility. This is what we call “tailor-made surgery”—a customized approach that adapts to both the patient and the surgeon. In the past, with TURP, we were limited to a single operational method. Today, we have the freedom (and responsibility) to choose the most appropriate option among several excellent alternatives. But to do this properly, one must understand all techniques thoroughly—their physical principles, limitations, and advantages. Only then can we provide truly personalized, safe, and effective medicine.

Your center is nationally recognized as a reference point for teaching laser techniques. What does this role involve, and what skills are required?
Our center is accredited for training Italian and international urologists. Our goal is to spread the responsible use of modern technologies, which we have been using since 2010, by providing doctors with specialized knowledge on the use of surgical lasers, patient selection, and post-operative management. Training is key to offering increasingly safe and personalized care. Working with powerful tools like lasers requires proper guidance and education to avoid patient harm such as urinary incontinence or impotence.

What is the future direction in BPH treatment? Will we see a gradual abandonment of traditional techniques in favor of less invasive approaches?
We are already witnessing a progressive yet decisive shift away from traditional techniques. The future has already begun: laser and minimally invasive solutions are transforming BPH surgery into a treatment that is increasingly safe, effective, and truly centered on the patient’s needs. In this context, the C.Ur.E. Center is more than just a medical facility—it is a hub of innovation and education, where every procedure is designed to offer patients the best possible solution, and every decision is guided by expertise and vision.

This is where the urological surgery of the future takes shape.
Day by day.
Person by person.

In the current system governing tax law, characterized by an exceptionally high rate of legislative production, tax litigation continues to represent one of the most complex and dynamic areas. It requires specialized expertise and constant, qualified updates within a strategic vision of the disputes between taxpayers and the tax administration. In this context, Tax Solving StP, a Bergamo-based firm founded by chartered accountants Giorgio C. Rubini and Luca Alberti, and already featured in leading national publications, stands out as a solid point of reference for companies and professionals who need qualified and timely assistance in managing tax disputes. We spoke with the two professionals to learn more about the firm’s activities.

Dr. Rubini, what are the current figures on tax litigation in Italy?
Each year, the Department of Tax Justice of the Ministry of Economy and Finance publishes an annual report on tax litigation. The data for 2024, released in June, show a total of 224,725 appeals filed across the two levels of jurisdiction, marking a significant increase in both first-instance cases (+31.6%) and appeals (+15.4%) compared to 2023. The total value of settled disputes amounts to approximately €26 billion, with an average case value of €118,000. These figures are extremely significant and have sharply increased in recent years, likely linked to the strong rise in disputes that began in 2022 following the resumption of tax assessment and collection activities, which coincided with the end of emergency measures introduced in 2020 and 2021 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The surge recorded in 2024 in first-instance cases also stems from the abolition of the mandatory tax mediation procedure under Article 17-bis of Legislative Decree No. 546/1992, for appeals notified from January 4, 2024, onward.

What conclusions can we draw from this scenario?
Such a situation invites reflection both at the legal-institutional level and the socio-economic level, as it implies a high degree of fiscal uncertainty for businesses and citizens, with strongly negative effects on trust in the tax system. Beyond the absolute value of the figures—which are alarming in themselves—the most striking element is the average value of the disputes: €118,000 per case. This means that these controversies have a significant financial impact and may also extend into corporate or criminal tax matters. Consequently, whenever a tax dispute arises, there is a clear need for highly qualified technical defense, capable of developing targeted and advanced litigation strategies based on experience and continuous updates on case law.

Dr. Alberti, how does Tax Solving StP handle complex tax disputes, and what tools do you use to assess risk and guide clients toward the best solution?
We ensure a thorough preliminary analysis of the taxpayer’s fiscal position, including risk assessment and cost-benefit evaluations between litigation and early settlement, while also exploring negotiated and alternative solutions such as settlements, rulings, and compliance procedures. Recently, our firm has also introduced a strategic ally to further improve overall efficiency in managing litigation: artificial intelligence (AI). This system performs automated logical consistency checks and predictive calculations on the probability of success in court, compared with potential early-settlement options. This approach significantly reduces time spent on repetitive tasks and allows a stronger focus on strategic thinking by the legal counsel, a figure that remains central and irreplaceable.

In addition to tax litigation, Tax Solving StP is also known nationally for providing advisory services aimed at asset protection. What can you tell us about this specific area?
We live in a time when families increasingly express the need to protect the wealth accumulated over generations, seeking the right balance between present needs and future ambitions. In this context, Tax Solving StP offers specialized expertise and tools to provide clients with qualified support in safeguarding their assets, including during generational transitions, ensuring continuity and preserving value over time.

In recent years, dentistry has undergone a quiet yet profound evolution, thanks to the introduction of digital technologies in daily practice. Among the most significant innovations, computer-guided implantology has become one of the most solid and reliable pillars of prosthetic rehabilitation, offering increasingly predictable, minimally invasive, and aesthetically valuable results. We discussed this with Dr. Marco Marra, dentist and specialist in Implantology and Implant-Prosthetics in Odontostomatology, who has been applying this technique for years with excellent results.

by Roberta Imbimbo

Dr. Marra, how would you define digital implantology today?
I would define it as a modern, highly advanced method that provides concrete advantages for both the patient and the clinician. Thanks to 3D planning software, it is now possible to design the surgical procedure virtually, visualizing in advance the bone anatomy and the optimal position for the implant. This enables extremely precise, safe, and predictable surgery — key factors in improving the patient’s experience and the clinical outcome.

You often speak of “computer-guided and prosthetically guided implantology.” What exactly does that mean?
It’s a highly advanced and precise clinical approach that combines digital planning with minimally invasive surgery, with the goal of ensuring not only the functional success of the implant but also an optimal aesthetic result. The process begins with virtual pre-surgical planning using specialized software that integrates clinical data, digital impressions, and radiological images obtained through CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography). This allows for the virtual positioning of the implant in the most anatomically suitable area and, more importantly, in the exact point where the future prosthesis will achieve maximum aesthetic and functional integration.
Once the planning is defined, a surgical guide — a custom-made 3D-printed template — is created to faithfully transfer the digital plan into the patient’s mouth. This step is crucial because it ensures absolute consistency between digital design and clinical execution. Thanks to prosthetically guided surgery, the implant is positioned in such a way that the future dental crown emerges perfectly from the gum, ensuring symmetry, harmony of the smile, and a natural appearance. The digitalization of the implant process not only improves surgical efficiency and safety but also makes possible a highly predictable, personalized, and long-lasting prosthetic outcome, raising the overall quality standard of treatment.

What are the main benefits for the patient?
Computer-guided implantology offers numerous advantages, especially thanks to the use of the Flapless technique, which allows implant placement without incisions or sutures. This method — also known as “closed-flap surgery” — is suitable for patients with favorable gingival and bone conditions. In such cases, it is possible to avoid lifting the gum flap and instead create only a small access point (called an operculum) through the mucosa using a personalized surgical guide that directs the implant into the planned position with extreme accuracy.
Compared to traditional surgery, the benefits for the patient are clear: surgical trauma is significantly reduced, leading to less bleeding, swelling, and post-operative pain. The absence of sutures and the reduced manipulation of soft tissues also contribute to faster healing, a lower risk of infection, and better preservation of vascular integrity and peri-implant tissues.
Modern implantology aims precisely to combine functionality, aesthetics, and minimal surgical invasiveness, ensuring greater comfort for the patient and a smoother post-operative recovery. It is important to note, however, that when anatomical conditions do not allow a Flapless approach, computer-guided implantology can still be performed using the “open flap” method, while maintaining the advantages of precise digital planning and highly predictable implant placement.

And what about the advantages for the clinician?
As mentioned, the main benefit is planning. Having the ability to “see” in advance where to place the implant allows for extremely precise work and reduces intraoperative unpredictability. With modern digital software, the procedure can be simulated, the safest and most effective position for the implant can be selected, and then the surgery can be carried out exactly as planned. This approach increases surgical safety, predictability of results, and patient satisfaction.
Using surgical templates designed with digital technology also ensures extremely accurate implant placement, based on virtual planning performed in the pre-operative phase. For all these reasons, in modern implantology, the use of computers and advanced design software is no longer just an option — it has become an essential requirement to deliver safe, predictable treatments aimed at maximizing patient benefit.

In conclusion, can we say that digital technology has changed implantology forever?
Absolutely yes. It’s not just a technical evolution but a true paradigm shift. Digital implantology allows for less traumatic procedures, more stable results, and higher overall quality of care. It’s a revolution that places the patient’s well-being and treatment efficiency at the center. In short, digital technology has changed the way we think about smile care: more precise, more human, and more patient-centered.

In an era when Artificial Intelligence promises to revolutionize every sector — from healthcare to industry, from marketing to consulting — the greatest risk is not automation, but the illusion that technology can replace expertise. In reality, without the cultural tools to interpret algorithms, without a critical approach and qualified professional support, even the most innovative tools lose their effectiveness.

Nunzio Vernazzani, founding partner of COMED S.r.l., a Naples-based company with over 30 years of experience providing management solutions and advanced consulting services to SMEs, knows this well. In this interview, the founder of this Italian excellence explains how AI can truly enhance decision-making processes — provided it is placed in the right hands.

by Roberta Imbimbo

Dr. Vernazzani, today everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence. What role is AI playing in your field?
AI is making its way powerfully into the world of business and management consulting. We use it to improve data analysis, anticipate trends, simplify complex processes, and support strategic decisions. But let’s be clear: we are not talking about a “magic machine” that solves problems on its own. AI is an extraordinarily powerful tool, but it must be guided by competent people — those who know what to ask of it, how to interpret its results, and, above all, how to integrate it into a coherent business vision.
True innovation is never purely technical; it is, above all, cultural. This is why adopting AI requires a paradigm shift: it’s not enough to introduce new software — you must change your mindset, invest in training, and develop a new capacity for critical data interpretation. Only then can AI become a true added value for companies, not just another passing trend.

So the risk is believing that simply adopting intelligent software is enough to innovate a business?
Exactly. One of the most common mistakes is thinking that “technology” automatically means “solution.” But if the user lacks a solid digital culture, cannot interpret an algorithm, or understand a statistical correlation, that software will be of little use. It’s like putting a Ferrari in the hands of someone who has never learned to drive.
Our job as consultants is precisely this: to accompany companies, guiding them not only in choosing the right tools, but above all in understanding and using those technologies consciously — transforming them into intelligent, efficient, and sustainable processes.

COMED presents itself as both a technological and consulting partner. How do these two roles come together?
We firmly believe that today you can no longer separate technology from strategic consulting. Our strength lies precisely in this integration: on one hand, we offer advanced software solutions that incorporate predictive logic and artificial intelligence models; on the other, we guide clients through a path of conscious digital growth.
That’s why we invest heavily in continuous training, solution customization, and above all, listening. Every company is unique, and AI must always be tailor-made.

Can you give us a concrete example?
Recently, we supported an SME in the manufacturing sector in adopting an AI-based system to optimize its supply chain. The result was a 15% reduction in logistics costs and a more accurate demand forecast. But the real change took place in the company’s mindset: data became the driving force behind decisions, not just a retrospective report.

What skills are still lacking today to truly harness the potential of AI?
Often what’s missing is the ability to interpret data critically and consciously. Too many people confuse automation with true intelligence. An automatically generated report is not enough to make effective decisions — we need hybrid professionals who combine technical expertise with business knowledge, and companies willing to invest not only in software but above all in digital culture.
AI does not replace corporate strategy — it strengthens it. That’s why continuous training, a clear vision, and a strong sense of responsibility are essential.

In conclusion: can AI really make a difference?
Yes, but only if it is placed at the service of people. AI will not replace consultants — it will empower those who know how to use it competently and consciously. The future belongs to those who can combine human expertise and artificial intelligence, strategic vision and operational flexibility. In an era where technology advances rapidly, only those who stop to reflect on the “why” and the “how” will truly be able to move forward with strength.
In this context, the role of partners like COMED will become increasingly crucial: translating the potential of innovation into concrete results, avoiding shortcuts, and building solid foundations for a sustainable and lasting digital transformation.

In an Italy marked by decades of deindustrialization, many former industrial areas—once the beating heart of the national economy—now appear as abandoned spaces: empty warehouses, halted projects, untapped potential. To reverse this trend, a concrete solution lies in the public-private partnership (PPP), an operational model based on structured cooperation between the State and private enterprise. It is not merely a public subsidy, but a true synergy: the public sector plans, simplifies, and supports, while the private sector contributes vision, expertise, and implementation capacity.

“Synergy works best when a private business—due to market difficulties, corporate crisis, or structural problems—collapses, leaving behind an open wound on the territory. In such cases, public intervention can act as a lever for recovery, provided it is guided by a coherent vision and shared objectives,” emphasizes labor law expert Nino Carmine Cafasso.

But the value of PPP extends far beyond the regeneration of a single industrial site. Often, these projects encompass a broader renewal: worker training, employee services, urban redevelopment, and collaboration with schools and universities. The result is an economy that starts moving again and a territory that comes back to life.

One example is the conversion project of the former plant in Via Argine, Naples, which will transform an abandoned industrial site into a modern production facility, allowing hundreds of workers to be reintegrated through professional retraining and upskilling programs.

“To truly work,” Cafasso continues, “this tool requires clear conditions: transparency in defining roles, reliable regulations, timelines compatible with business needs, and, above all, sustained political commitment. When these elements align, the outcome is virtuous—stable employment, attraction of investments, reactivated supply chains, and territories regaining competitiveness.”

In a country where too many corporate failures have turned into industrial wastelands, the public-private partnership represents a viable and replicable response. It is not a magic formula, but certainly a path worth pursuing with determination.

From a heart-stopping corporate crisis — resolved through a complex continuity agreement — to a textbook turnaround, culminating in being selected by Decathlon not just as a supplier, but as a true production partner for stores across Europe and in markets like Brazil, Russia, and China. All this while manufacturing athletic footwear — a product category highly vulnerable to Asian competition. This is the rare and remarkable trajectory of Skandia, a Treviso-based company founded in 1979 and “reborn” in 2023 after its crisis. Economy spoke with Mario Porcaro, now CEO of the company, who initially joined as a consultant for the complex restructuring process. “I stepped in as of January 2023, during a very delicate time,” recalls the executive. “The company was going through a deep crisis and had filed for a continuity agreement (concordato preventivo in continuità). As an advisor — and above all, as a chartered accountant specialized in business crises — I supported ownership in defining and implementing the recovery plan. At the end of the legal proceedings, the shareholders wanted to mark a clear break from the past management, and as of January 2024, they appointed me as chairman and CEO. From that point on, we embarked on a deep and concrete path to relaunch.”

by Roberta Imbimbo

What was the strategy for overcoming the crisis?
We undertook a thorough restructuring: we closed the plant in Romania, which had become too costly, and reinforced production in Serbia. More recently, we launched a new production operation in Tunisia, where the combination of quality and cost-competitiveness represents a strategic opportunity for our growth. We reduced costs, streamlined processes, and reactivated key commercial relationships, particularly in Eastern Europe. Decathlon gave us crucial support — they’re the customer everyone wants, with nearly 1,700 stores and €16.2 billion in revenue in 2024. Not only did they select us as a supplier, but from day one they treated us as a true production partner, which allowed us to ramp up our manufacturing volumes. We also invested in internal talent and established an advisory board made up of high-profile professionals — Elia Mocellin, Stefano Loschi, and Michele Zorzan — who support me with strategic vision and foresight.

Are you also looking at growth through acquisitions?
Yes, that’s a cornerstone of our strategy. In a stagnant market, growth through acquisitions is essential for achieving economies of scale. We’re evaluating several potential deals, but often we face a certain cultural resistance from Italian companies, which are still reluctant to embrace consortium and aggregation models. What we need is more vision and less fear of change.

What are your plans for the future?
We’re working on new collections with a focus on product innovation, comfort, and sustainability. In particular, we’re developing two new ultra-light sole lines designed to combine durability, flexibility, and lightness — perfect for a market that demands both design and performance. At the same time, our strategic goal for 2026 is twofold: on the one hand, we aim to expand our client portfolio by targeting premium brands and international retail chains — we’ve already started business discussions with several of them. On the other hand, we plan to significantly increase our production capacity. We’re also investing in digitalization and process automation to make our supply chain more efficient and traceable. Throughout all this, we remain focused on the values that define us: quality, reliability, and sustainable business management.

So, does Skandia have a new identity today?
I’d say we’ve rediscovered our industrial vocation, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and quality. We’ve built a modern governance structure capable of making strategic decisions quickly. It’s a business model that values people and puts economic and organizational sustainability at its core.

So Skandia is looking to the future with confidence?
Absolutely. We’ve overcome a major crisis and today we are a healthy company, with a solid structure, a clear vision, and shareholders ready to support further growth and acquisitions. The crisis is behind us. Now, we’re moving forward with determination — ready to take on new challenges as key players.