introduction
Exactly ten years ago Alessandro and I opened our office in Milan.
At that time we were “just” architects. We came from international offices and were toughly trained to manage that serious thing called “Architecture”. I say that because at that time we though that everything could concur in making the success of an building, but Architecture was a sort of golem around which all the other disciplines were hierarchically displayed.
After ten years many things have changed. Our interest in transforming the dimensions of “space” in the emotions of “place” matched the cultural concept of “contamination”, “hybridization” or simply “connection” among disciplines. “Architecture” ceased to have is predominant role and gave it to “Design”: a intellectual process including any aspect of designing and all at the same level.
This approach took its time to came to the actual – not final – point. A real process in the process.
Looking behind, we realized there is no way of defining our works other then a complex ensemble of architecture, interiors, product and service design and communications. Often referring to state-of-the-art materials and technologies, or art movements or scientific theories.
Moreover we realized this is the way “new” designer are asked to be. The selection of two of our projects in which our attitude is more visible at the “New Italian Design” exhibition at the Triennale di Milano seems to confirm it.
Architecture is more and more intended as an icon – at least the one which is published in magazine. Very often it’s reduced at a communicative, accurately-shaped box to support branding.
Such a consideration is sometimes so obvious that just mentioning Gehry’s Guggenheim as the icon of the global urban reorganization of Bilbao clarifies the concept.
Was this a betrayal of the traditional attitude of architects? “Adda passa’ a nuttata”, as said by Giancarlo de Carlo in one of his last interview, quoting Eduardo de Filippo’s cue in “Napoli Milionaria”?
We do not have an answer.
But seeking for a word defining the best quality a designer should have, Alessandro said “fluidity”, i.e. the ability of liquids of taking the form of the environment that surround them without changing their basic composition. That’s why we created “Thinkfluid” and I’m sure that our open-minded education as architects made possible the change of vision.
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