ARCHITECTURE ON THE ROAD

CARPE DIEM PHOTOS

Travel and photography are a perfect match, and @studio_archi4's Instagram page showcases this beautifully. Michela shares her love for art, architecture, and culture through her breathtaking photographs.

Planning a trip that balances leisure and cultural experiences can be difficult, but Michela's page provides inspiration and ideas. Moreover, she skillfully captures even the most intricate details in her photographs. Join us as we explore the insights that Michela will share through her words and images.

Q. Why do you take photographs and what does photography mean to you?

A. For me, photography is hereditary and closely linked to travel. As a child, I had the opportunity to experiment with photography while on the road with my family. Over time, I became a photographer myself, following in my mother's footsteps. Since I first held a disposable camera, I've noticed that my observation skills have improved. Now, I have a more trained eye for my surroundings.

Q. The association between travel and photography started early for you. When you take photos, what do you focus on? Are you, like many of us, trying to capture the 'perfect' shot?

A. Light is really important in photography, especially when taking pictures of architecture or art. It's crucial to understand the lighting conditions when composing a shot: reflections, shadows, and sunlight can either enhance or obscure details. Travel photography is special because it is done in motion, to portray a motionless subject. To make sure I capture the essence of once-in-a-lifetime destinations, I just shoot without overthinking, embracing spontaneity. Digital photography gives us greater control over the final result. However, I think that capturing the 'perfect' photograph often requires a stroke of luck in seizing the moment.

Q. Do you also get to travel when that happens?

A. In reality, I'm a planner, but that's never stopped me from surprising.

Q. Do you have a destination in mind that has turned out to be a surprise for you?

A. Yes, and it is absurd because I have been ignoring it for years. I'm talking about Padova. It is ironic how we first become interested in faraway places and then discover that we are living near real jewels. The turning point came when the 14th-century cycle of paintings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This led me to take an interest in the city as a whole and I was able to draw up a list of palaces that must be included in a visit to Padua, first and foremost the University.

Q. Which, not for nothing, has just turned eight hundred years old. What is not to be missed, if you have a weekend to spare?

A. The Palazzo del Bo (known simply as 'il Bo' by the inhabitants and students of the University) is one of the oldest and most evocative palaces in Padua and the seat of the University. It is made up of several buildings arranged around two main courtyards: the oldest, dating back to the 16th century, and the 20th century 'Cortile Nuovo'. To walk through these spaces is to perceive the layering of history on stone: at the same time you have access to the magnificent Aula Magna and the world's first permanent Anatomical Theatre. Then you turn around and the 20th century area takes your breath away: monumental rooms decorated by the great exponents of Italian art under the supervision of the designer Gio Ponti. I found the Scala del Sapere and the Rector's apartments exceptional.

A leisurely walk around the city, crossing squares and stopping for an aperitif, will take you to many beautiful places. The majestic church of St. Justine, the Oratory of St. George, the Basilica of St. Anthony and the adjacent Scoletta del Santo. I could go on and on, discovering a richness in this city that I had initially underestimated

Q. Organising such a weekend gives me the idea of being very rewarding! However, when we only have a few days, we have to be very careful in choosing the destination. Do you have a method for choosing them and dividing the trip into stages?

A. The first thing to do is definitely to think about where to go, based on goals and fellow travellers. Word of mouth and inspiration from stories or online help to decide. For unusual feedback, specialist magazines are also very useful. The second step is to open a map. Now, don't think I'm going to roll out ancient scrolls, maps will do just fine, also because the aim is to calculate the timing. Knowing what to do and what to expect next, but especially knowing how much time separates one stage from the next, allows you to enjoy the moment. My research usually ends with the discovery of curiosities: experiences, monuments, buildings or whole villages that are not very common and are waiting for their turn to come into play and amaze. Guaranteed, the surprise is just around the corner.

Q. I see you as very curious, and this is also evident in the photos you share: a real travel journal. On your travels, have you ever found a building that was difficult to photograph?

A. Gothic cathedrals.

Q. A very straightforward answer! Maybe the amount of detail makes it hard to capture in photographs?

A. Actually, the most complex thing is where they are located. Very often, cathedrals built between the 1200s and 1500s are set like jewels in the city center. For this reason, the only framing you can use is wide-angle from below, so that you can only see the sky and the spires (if there are any). Each photograph is a communication of the here and now and the layering of the years. The construction sites of these huge monuments took years. The neighboring buildings clung to the building under construction in a kind of embrace. I am thinking of the Cathedral of St Vitus in Prague or the Cathedral of Naples. Even Notre Dame in Paris was surrounded by houses and palaces, at least until the 19th century. This is not the case with monuments built in the modern era. The question has been raised as to how a work is perceived and how it relates to its surroundings.

Q. Finally, I can only ask for your advice. What destination would you suggest for someone who wants to combine culture and relax?

A. I was particularly fascinated by one Italian region: Abruzzo. I found it interesting because it satisfies the desire for relaxation, with wonderful beaches and intense but beautiful hiking trails. But it also has a rich historical and cultural background to discover, or rather rediscover. In addition, the food and wine aspect, combined with the warm hospitality of the people, made it one of the best trips I have made in years.

I would have hours of conversations with Michela about the places she has visited, because I have the feeling that I can experience them a bit myself. And in a way, I can: her 'carpe diem' photographs, the combination of awareness and randomness, got us going with her. The opportunity to travel allows us to learn and takes us out of our comfort zone. So the choice to photograph architecture is a choice to tell not only your own story, but the story behind the destination of the journey. Architecture is a story of people and events, of styles and habits. And sometimes the most unexpected surprise is right behind your home.

So why not hit the road?

I'm waiting for you to tell me what the guidebooks don't, to tell me about the most beautiful buildings in the area where you live or the unforgettable experiences you've had by chance. You can write here or tag me or Michela in Instagram stories. Let's share some beauty!

Playlist

La Vita Splendida - by Tiziano Ferro

Yellow - by Coldplay

I Will Find You - by Audiomachine, Greatest Hits album 2022

Restoration or restructuring?

Restauro vs ristrutturazione: definizioni e differenze

What does restoration mean and what is its context? Often in conversation it would come up that my interlocutor's grandfather or relative had restored the so-called 'casa vecchia' in Veneto, also known as the 'casa vecia'.

Are we sure that the operation was a restoration, or was it a restructuring? These terms are often used interchangeably, but in fact, their meanings are very different.

Starting from the definition!

Restoration - noun [ C or U ] : Restoration is the process of conservation and reintegration, as far as possible and especially where appropriate, of the damaged elements of buildings and monuments, the aim being to preserve the original structure and design of the building or monument. This also applies to works of art, furniture, objects of artistic, historical or anthropological value, books, and manuscripts.

The current trend in restoring artifacts and works of art is towards conservative restoration. Unlike historical restoration (which aimed to remake works with often substantial modifications) conservative restoration aims to respect the authenticity of the works and, in some cases, reconstruct missing parts. Specifically in architectural restoration, interventions aim to preserve the building's functionality.

restructuring - noun [ C or U ] : Restructuring involves making interventions to partially or completely transform a building organism. This entails adding, removing or modifying installations and structural elements with the aim of achieving a more efficient and appropriate building.

Restructuring can take place in various forms, such as changing the structure, facilities, and equipment, to improve, expand, or even rebuild.

Where is the doubt?

Choose your context: the outskirts of a city, full of neighborhoods that have been there since the early post-war period. The town is populated by a succession of rustic courtyards and houses converted or built during the economic boom. The rural landscape is dotted with rustic cottages and barns full of character, some stripped of their atavistic charm by recent interventions, others in a state of complete abandonment.

These areas and the typical buildings found in them are where "Granny Houses" come from. These homes are often full of memories and have a very personal charm.

Pay attention!

Heritage areas do not offer discounts, and being part of a protected area is not a defining characteristic of monumental mansions. It is also important to protect minor architecture, including abandoned gems such as old houses. Depending on the level of protection, various interventions can be made. You can still have your dream home, but with a rich historic appearance.

Follow the page to learn about the phases of Restoration and Restructuring, and follow a practical case step-by-step!
Remember, the level of protection for a building is public information. To find out, consult your municipality's website. If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to contact me here.

Interior design psychology

Creating spaces that look like us - the steps and the method

Have you also noticed, almost unexpectedly, that psychology pervades every aspect of our lives? It seems that everything, even objects, is capable of communication or influence and, above all, that everything has value on a mental level. Has it become fashionable in recent years to ascribe meaning even to what is considered trivial?

Sometimes I thought that it was all a bit exaggerated, overexposed, dense. But my work has made me think about the relationships between objects and people. Especially in a familiar environment, you can go through 'phases' that lead to it being shaped by the people who live in it.

So, at the beginning of this year 2024, when I took down the Christmas decorations and found myself in a suddenly "empty" house, I had the urge (again, as my family will tell you) to change the decorations. 'Change' in the colloquial sense of the word: it means spending mornings or afternoons moving the sofa, table, dresser and so on. I was in the middle of my 'new beginnings' phase. To be fair, this is a recurring phase for me: I love the seasonality, and it's also an opportunity for me to rethink my home scene. January, the first month of the year, combined with a Christmas-tree-free living room is an irresistible time.

What's the best way to redecorate your home?

Functionality is essential and forms the basis of an environment that works. Linear paths between doors and windows and well-defined 'living' areas are the real translation of usability. To this must be added experience: because I live in the space I am changing, I know where I want to go and I know where to move furniture to make it comfortable.

Aesthetics is what makes you love your space. The right vibes have a huge impact on mood, morale and lifestyle. Aesthetics is subjective and I believe it is not synonymous with style, but rather personality. What evokes an emotion in one person may not convey anything to another.

So what leads us?

A balance between the design of practical furniture and the warmth of the emotions conveyed by objects full of charm. And it is this combination that often leads me to include vintage furniture in the spaces I design. They tell a story and communicate on different levels: personal, in the case of restorations, historical, evoking bygone eras.

These characteristics are able to speak to any style of decor and at the same time be personal.

Who decides to renovate?

Those who choose to improve their living space are often going through a transitional period in their life, which is reflected in their surroundings. One can find themselves in three recurring phases, depending on their character.

"New Beginnings" Phase

Moments of restart are often associated with certain times of the year, such as the beginning of a new year, seasonality (especially spring or autumn) or personal events that affect one's way of life. In January, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the lack of decorations and to start rearranging the house to figure out why it feels so empty.

“Passionate” Phase

The homes of people in this phase are constantly changing. Those who live through it express the passion of the moment, even in their decor: they may change the colour of the wall or the theme of the paintings. They may decide to upholster the sofa, change the cushions, use only one type of lighting, from candles to LED strips. Or all of the above. It can last for a season or for years, reflecting the character of the person who lives there.

“Nostalgic” Phase

Once furnished, it is forever. Changing or moving anything is taboo, as if the furniture had been nailed to the floor by the memories built up in those rooms. Even painting the walls a different color will clash with the indelible image in the minds of those who live in that space.

These three phases overlap, intertwine, or follow each other. They reflect what we were discussing earlier. Space has an influence on us after we establish a relationship with it, even if it's just by starting to live in it. Therefore, it is a bit of a stretch to group all decor preferences into a predefined style. Fashion has always had a significant impact on us, but we have our own unique style that cannot be perfectly matched by any particular trend. Each phase we go through carries its own significance, and in some cases, making changes can be challenging.

In such situations, colour can be a viable solution. It can introduce novelty in a subtle way and evoke specific emotions. For instance, consider Pantone's choice for the colour of the year 2024: Peach Fuzz. This hue conveys kindness, solidarity, and sharing. Impressive for just one colour!

How can we choose the right furniture and freshen up our surroundings? Click here to find out how to redecorate on a budget. For bespoke furniture, contact us here or follow our Instagram for budget-friendly and seasonal suggestions.

Blog post Playlist

To keep you from breaking - Kelsey Woods

Walter Time - Theodore Shapiro, The secret dreams of Walter Mitty OST