AD : TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY IN THE INCEPTION OF STUDIO URQUIOLA
PATRICIA : Actually , it took me some time to take this decision . I remember , I was leading the design department at Lissoni ’ s and I was happy with my job . It was actually Piero Lissoni , who encouraged me to open my own studio , he told me that I was more than ready .
I think this helped me to open my own studio when I was really convinced and indeed things started out well and the team grew in an organic way .
AD : IN FEW WORDS , HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR DESIGN PROCESS – PHILOSOPHY ?
PATRICIA : I am very present in both design and architecture departments . To me the design process is essential and sharing is very important . I am very open to everyone in my team and I really believe that creativity is strongly connecting with the dialogue , both inside my studio and with the clients .
AD : YOU ’ RE MOST PROUD - FAVORITE PROJECT TILL NOW ? ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT THIS PROJECT THAT MAKES IT SPECIAL FOR YOU ?
PATRICIA : Among architecture projects , ‘ il Sereno ’ on lake Como , Italy was very important to me and I am still really affectionate to this hotel . I was inspired by the color of the lake , and its glistening water , the nature of the dramatic mountains , and the adjacent village of Torno . The color palette is the lake itself . It includes green , light-blue , copper , grey and natural tones . For Il Sereno we used natural materials ( stone , wood , wool natural fibers ) for a sustainable style and timeless elegance . I wanted that the lake was always present in the hotel .
There are many other projects that have meant a lot to me . Among design projects , I am thinking of the work done with Cassina these years and I am especially affectionate to Sengu Sofa , which has a very domestic and sustainable soul , including innovative features , as a result of Cassina LAB work . Indeed , a 100 % recycled fibre , made from PET mainly recovered from the sea , is part of the cushion padding in respect of the environment .
// below ; il Sereno - Hotel suite in Como , Italy . Photograph courtesy : Studio Urquiola
22 | July - August 2021 Edition // Design Essentia // DE INDIA