Architect, PhD from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), and founder of External Reference—an international studio awarded prizes such as the Prix Versailles, the World Architecture Festival (WAF), the SBID Awards, and the Ro Plastic Prize. With over 17 years of experience, Zappulla leads projects that explore parametric design, digital fabrication, bioarchitecture, and artificial intelligence applied to architecture. Under his leadership, the studio has become a global benchmark in the creation of innovative spaces that merge technology, art, and sustainability. His work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, the MAXXI Museum, and Expo Dubai 2020. Zappulla directs the Master’s in Experiential Design at LCI Barcelona and is a faculty member at IAAC. Among his most iconic projects are the Nova Bocana in Barcelona, the Spain Pavilion at Expo Dubai, and the WOW experiential hub in Madrid.
External Reference is a multidisciplinary studio dedicated to transforming spaces into emotional experiences through architecture and design. Since its founding in 2007, the firm has carried out international projects across a wide range of fields, including urban interventions, architecture, retail, hospitality, exhibition, and product design. The studio approaches each project with a strong focus on innovation and technological research, drawing inspiration from diverse external sources such as contemporary art, science, and philosophy. Notable projects include the new seafront of Nova Bocana on Barcelona's coast; the exhibition route of the Spain Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020; the phygital marketplace WOW in Madrid; gastronomic spaces such as the restaurants Alkimia and Casa Moritz; cutting-edge brand concept spaces like VICIO and La Manso; as well as one of its most recent research and design initiatives: Pure Plants, a family of 3D-printed purifying sculptures, winner of the international Ro Plastic Prize.
