Focus on Studio Wok

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00_Header_STUDIOWOK_1_header---Attico-alla-Cà-Brutta,-Milano-–-ph

Attico alla Cà Brutta, Milano. Ph. credits Federico Villa studio

The architectural rigour of existing buildings, and formal experimentation in a minimalist approach driven by bold new styles are the two favorite design ingredients of the three architects at studio wok. The firm focuses on combining method, design and production to create high-quality living environments, exploring slow living through bespoke renovations meticulously designed down to the smallest detail.

Name: studio wok (Marcello Bondavalli, Nicola Brenna and Carlo Alberto Tagliabue).

Place where you work: Milan.

Your Instagram account: @studio_wok

What does your firm focus on? Architecture and high-quality living, from residential to the urban scale.

Where did you study? At the Politecnico di Milano, as well as Portugal through Erasmus (Lisbon, Coimbra and Lisbon).

ART_01_STUDIOWOK_2_-infratesto_Studio-Wok — Studio WOK

The project you have been following/are working on at the moment: At the moment, we’re working on a number of projects with different themes and contexts: the women’s floor at the Albini and Helg Rinascente Store in Rome, rural building refurbishments all over Italy, and an unusual but highly stimulating project, a small funerary chapel.

Your dream project: A small public building that interacts with the urban backdrop and community.

The project (by others) that has influenced you the most: It’s hard to pick just one, but if we had to cite a single name, it would be Peter Zumthor, one of the architects whose buildings and thinking has most influenced us.

A crucial element/detail in all your projects: Relationship and dialogue between design and context, between physical place, buildings and people.

ART_02_STUDIOWOK_3_infratesto_Appartamento-Verona-–-ph — Appartamento Verona. Ph. credits Federico Villa studio

City centre or far-flung places? Even if gravity often leads us back to working in urban settings, when it comes to design locations, we are very much attracted by far-flung geographies.

Something you have at home designed by you: We haven’t yet had a chance to create industrial design products, but we do enjoy experimenting with self-production, making prototypes and designing custom furniture elements, which we get made as one-offs by the fabulous craftspeople we work with.

What presents do you like to give? Something personal both for us and the recipient.

If you could build a secret passage in your house, where would it lead?
M: To San Trovaso, Venice.
N: To a secret location.
C: To a fantasy place with no rules or conventions.

ART_03_STUDIOWOK_4_infratesto_Ristorante-Myrto,-Porto-Cervo-(SS)-–-ph — Ristorante Myrto, Porto Cervo (SS). Ph. credits Simone Bossi photographer

What do you usually do on Sundays?
M: When I can, I head to Venice to hunt for floors to photograph and collect for my research archive, and for the @venezian_floors page, which I personally follow.
N: I spend time with my wife and daughter. Whenever possible, we go and chill at our peaceful home in the mountains.
C: As a new father, I no longer have such a thing as a typical Sunday. Every Sunday is a discovery!

Your favorite place in Milan? La Prossima Fermata, our favourite gelato shop near the studio (we’re giving them a shout out in the hope they’ll give us some free scoops!).

Dries Otten asks what you like to drink: Friday night beers at 6pm in our studio.

Would you like to ask the next interviewee a question? How do you cope with the image bombardment we’re subject to every day?