Italian Architect in London | Interview with Roberto Saija from District One

Roberto Saija, is an Italian architect in London. He is founder of Arquinaut, and recently launched a new Real Estate venture – District One – with his two partners.

As a network featuring some of the most important Italian manufacturers, all of us at Krome are curious to see what other Italians do in this beautiful city. In this interview we asked Roberto all about his exciting projects and multicultural inspiration. Enjoy your reading!

K: Hi Roberto! Please introduce yourself in one sentence:

R: I am very fortunate because I work in a job where I can turn my dreams into reality. And sometimes those of others too.

K: Can you tell us a little bit about your latest projects?

R: We have designed and published the guideline book for Elle and Elle Décor brand apartments. The booklet outlines the brand DNA and illustrates our unique approach to the aesthetic as well as spatial parameters for ELLE branded apartments, luxury apartments and associated properties.

This new imagining of design apartments, with a ‘pret-a-porter’ approach, is tailored for the high end real estate market. Hence it will provide clients with a choice of ‘distinguished, elegant furnishings and fittings along with all the latest integrated technological options.

The emphasis is on durable interior products which incorporate a variety of different design brand features. We focused on providing an individual style which is also practical and adds value from a personal and commercial perspective. The apartments are themselves a recognisable and desirable brand.

In the next few weeks District One will select development projects fit for Elle apartments in London, New York and São Paulo. Later the initiative will expand to the Middle East and Far East.

The company was formed by myself and an extremely talented architect, Gregory Martínez de Riquelme. As well as the respected Clement Franceschini, who has a wealth of experience in brand licensing.

K: Finding the inspiration: can you briefly tell us about the process?

R: A lot of my inspiration comes from picturing the people who will eventually inhabit a building on which I am working. I try to envisage who and what kind of person/people will live in this place. How will they eventually inhabit the dwelling and live their lives in that area? What will make them happy in a certain place? What will the surrounding areas, neighbours, parks, services, noise and sounds be like?

These pieces which comprise life are all part of the picture I like to build up in my mind’s eye so that I can understand that which will eventually become part of someone’s real life.

K: Who are Your favourite architects and designers who have been inspirational:

R: I do not have a single architect I fully favour. I rather value, and get my inspiration from, selected projects of a variety of architects ranging from classics like Palladio and Mies van der Rohe to Zaha Hadid over Herzog and de Meuron as well as Diller and Scofidio amongst others.

K: Working as an Italian Architect in London. Pros and cons:

R: London is a fantastically inspiring city combining the historic and new, the traditional and the cutting edge. These features are not mere clichés but along with the parks and multicultural influences they form part of the dynamic energy that characterises the UKs largest city.

Although there are positive and negatives to living in a large city, these aspects contribute to London’s unique charm. The pace of life is fast and the pressure to work and live at break neck speed is immense. You must find your own pace and a rhythm which works for you and your work and/or business.

K: Working as an Italian Architect abroad. Do you love to add an Italian touch to your projects? If yes, how?

R: Working as an Italian architect in London for me means my work does not just have the Italian touch but rather forms my whole identity. The Italian culture influences everything I do, my imagination, my ideas and the way I work. I developed all these aspects of my personality throughout my life and early years growing up in Italy. Italy has a rich history which is a true part of my character and this is expressed in all my work.

Thank you Roberto, it was a pleasure to meet you!