Seeing, listening, measuring
Once the proposal has been accepted, the first concrete step is to enter the space. The site visit is not limited to collecting measurements. It is a moment of structural analysis in which we decode the intrinsic qualities of the property: the incidence of natural light, the spatial hierarchies and the visual relationships with the external context. The technical survey is the structural base of the project. Reconstructing the space with precision allows us to work on reliable plans, avoiding knock-on errors in layouts, services and bespoke furniture. From here, the project starts to take shape in adherence to reality, not just to an ideal drawing.
The invisible structure
The first major design phase concerns the division of space. Here we define hierarchies, functions, degrees of privacy and flows of movement. How much breathing room to give the living area, how to organise the bedrooms, how to isolate the master area into a coherent block, which rooms to privilege for natural light: these are choices that do not appear in a single detail, but are perceived in the way the home will be lived every day. We usually present two layout options: a more radical one, which explores the full potential for transformation, and an alternative that is more measured yet equally contemporary. The final solution often arises from a synthesis between the two, finding the right balance between comfort, character and feasibility. At the end of this phase, the client has in front of them the backbone of the project: the framework on which materials, furniture and light will rest.
Atmosphere and material
Once the planimetric structure has been defined, the project addresses the material definition of the space: surfaces, textures and the chromatic palette. The process moves from digital to physical: photorealistic visualisations test the overall balance, while the selection of samples in the showroom allows a tactile check of finishes and their reaction to light. Materials and colour are not accessory layers, but constructive elements that define the hierarchy of spaces. The lighting design develops in parallel, going beyond the simple positioning of fixtures to define scenarios and volumes. The aim is to achieve total coherence, where every material and lighting choice responds to a precise architectural logic, independent of any single piece of furniture.
Construction drawings and technical coordination
The executive design phase translates the idea into operational instructions for the site. We prepare a complete dossier which, depending on the project, may include:
- demolition and construction details;
- detailed electrical and plumbing diagrams;
- technical drawings for bespoke furniture and construction joints;
- setting-out schedules for cladding, flooring and finishes;
- reference boards for colours, materials and alignments.
These documents speak clearly to the entire construction team, minimising room for personal interpretation. Many issues of feasibility and budget are anticipated and resolved here, on paper, before they can turn into unforeseen costs on site.
Direction, control, decisions
When the project enters the construction phase, the studio becomes the control room. We are the single point of contact between client, contractor, engineers and artisans, keeping expectations, timings and quality aligned. The frequency of site visits depends on the phase and the level of complexity: during the most delicate stages our presence may be daily, while the minimum rhythm is weekly. For projects further from our base, we coordinate a trusted local contact, always in dialogue with the studio, to ensure continuity of supervision. Unforeseen issues such as minor errors, discrepancies or forced adjustments are filtered and handled methodically. We inform the client about questions that are truly relevant, presenting already-thought-through options, and reserve for joint discussion the decisions that have a real impact on the result. Operational micro-adjustments are absorbed as far as possible by the studio, so that the site does not become a constant source of worry. To avoid overlapping roles and conflicting instructions, all communication with contractors and trades passes through us.
Furniture and styling
Furniture enters the project as a structural element, integrated into the definition of the layout from day one. Anticipating these choices is essential in order to:
- dimension the spaces correctly;
- define the functions and proportions of the furniture;
- set up services and lighting points in a coherent way from the outset.
The management of supplies progresses in parallel with the construction work. Aligning orders with the advancement of the site allows us to deliver each element exactly when the space is ready to receive it, eliminating dead time. With the installation of finishes and window frames, the project reveals its definitive form: at this stage, the architecture is complete and the raw construction becomes a defined identity.
Horizons and synergies
The overall duration depends on the scale and nature of the intervention, but for a full renovation it is realistic to envisage a trajectory that can extend up to two years: roughly half the time dedicated to the design phase, from initial framework to executive drawings, the other half to site works, supplies and final adjustments. The factors that most affect timing are:
- prolonged indecision on key choices that have already been defined;
- requests for variations when work is already advanced;
- structural or services-related issues that emerge only during construction.
Delays in supplies, if managed with our logistical method, tend to have a limited impact. Quality requires time. Forcing complex processes does not usually mean gaining months, but sacrificing control over detail and over the budget. The client’s participation is active and decisive in every phase, from material selection to the definition of furniture. To keep the work flow linear, we ask for trust in the method and punctual feedback: the ability to consolidate decisions within the agreed timeframe is the main driver that allows the project to move forward with regularity. Autonomous interventions on site or radical changes of direction outside the agreed perimeter are always possible, but they require a recalibration of time and costs; it is better to clarify this in advance than to suffer the consequences later.
Method, order, quality
Entrusting the entire journey to a single point of reference means having a form of direction that holds together vision, technique and everyday life. The phases give the project a discreet order: they make it clear at every moment where we are, which decisions we are taking and which aspects remain to be defined. A path structured in this way may seem demanding at the beginning, but it is precisely this clarity that makes the experience lighter for the client along the way. Method and pragmatism do not diminish the poetry of spaces; they make it possible in reality. The quality of living begins here, in having respected with calm and determination every step that the project required.
