Patricia studied architecture at Madrid Polytechnic and the Politecnico di Milano University, where she graduated in 1989 after completing her thesis with Achille Castiglioni. Patricia served as an assistant lecturer to both Achille Castiglioni and Eugenio Bettinelli before going on to the architectural firm de Renzio and Ramerino. There, she specialised in the architectural design of showrooms, restaurants, and franchising. She became head of the Lissoni Associati design group in 1996, working on projects for Antares-Flos, Cappellini, Cassina and others.