Architecture Awards 2023 BUILD 89 Apr23106 or more than a decade, Ministudio Architetti has designed made-to-measure projects geared to the specific needs and visions of each customer, to ensure the highest quality of life and a unique result. “Our research focuses on the perfect balance between space and light, with the human at its core,” explains Barbara, one half of the founding partnership. “We pay extra attention to details and strive to keep bespoke and craftsmanship quality at every level. Our overall passion is designing with a minimalistic approach with a sprinkle of irony achieved by including elements that may seem odd at first, but that perfectly fit the result. We call it our “courtly pop” methodology.” The Italian architecture segment is highly competitive, with a huge number of professionals operating in a context with thousands of environmental and historic constraints. In Ministudio’s home region, Liguria, there are the additional challenges of tiny spaces and lack of new areas to build anew. This leads to very complex construction sites, and a growing average cost of construction and renovation, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukrainian war, which have further limited the capacity to retrieve certain raw materials. Staying one step ahead of the game, therefore, is imperative in such a fiercely competitive industry and Ministudio strives to ensure that it is a clear leader with excellent attention to detail from design stage through to construction, providing customers with a clear vision prior to the project. “Every project has its special needs dictated by the natural and architectural context, and, above all, by our customers,” elaborates Barbara. Nowadays, clients have had a pass at the myriad of images and info available online and have already something in their minds when they reach out to us. Our role is to guide them, help them see the potential of a space and of a project, to achieve a result where nothing needs to be added or removed.” One of the firm’s latest projects, of which it is particularly proud, is Double Dream – a complete interior and outdoor renovation of an apartment within Castello Turcke. The property is an iconic piece of architecture designed by Gino Coppedè in 1903 built as a private villa of eclectic taste with clear references to mediaeval Florentine castles on the cliff of Capo Santa Chiara in Genoa. The peculiarity of the project lays in the exceptional context of the castle that gradually turned a ‘simple’ renovation request into an all-encompassing, exclusive, and fully bespoke endeavour. Each element of the interiors and furnishing has been designed in detail by Ministudio, with an artisan approach in its quest for precious materials. The eclectic nature of the building was the starting point for a project that combines a classical imprint with a refined lightness. “We are particularly proud of the tension we created between the concrete, elaborately ornate massive materials of the original architecture, and the vivid, reflecting, and impalpable materials introduced with the renovation,” explains Barbara. “This combination resulted in a contemporary but ethereal space enhancing the aura of a castle surrounded by the sea with natural light pervading the interiors.” For the exceptional work and dedication that Ministudio put into Double Dream, it gained the prestigious accolade of Best Apartment Design Project 2023 (North West Italy) in the BUILD Architecture Awards 2023. It also received another award for its overall commitment to clients and was named Best Interior Architecture Design Firm 2023 – Italy. It’s safe to say that the future is looking bright for Ministudio. Having expanded into new constructions and product designs over the last few years, the firm is now looking at different creative fields to help it keep its design philosophy and approach sharp and innovative. “In 10-plus years of activity, we have always strived to make our customers’ dream come true: every detail, every addition or subtraction, every “oddity” was a piece of a complex and unique jigsaw with a very delicate balance. As architects, we feel the responsibility of leaving our customers with a private retreat that mirrors their souls and infuses wellbeing while displaying the signature style of the studio.” Contact: Barbara Bacigalupo & Ilaria Cargiolli Company: Ministudio Architetti Web Address: www.ministudioarchitetti.com F Established in 2013 in Genoa, Italy by Ilaria Cargiolli and Barbara Bacigalupo, Ministudio Architetti is an architectural firm specialising in interior design for residential and commercial spaces. We find out more as the firm celebrates winning not just one, but two prestigious awards for its efforts. Best Interior Architecture Design Firm 2023 – Italy & Best Apartment Design Project 2023 (North West Italy): Double Dream Ministudio Architetti
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==