Interview with Diego Revollo

Diego Revollo ("DR") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

DR : 1-Born and raised in São Paulo- Brazil, I’m an architect with degree from “Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie” located in São Paulo. Before opening my own office I have worked for 7 years in a renowned Architecture office in Brasil ( Roberto Migotto). In 2008 I opened my office and have been working there ever since.

How did you become a designer?

DR : 2-Looking back on my career, I see more than ever that what moved me and what I always touched on was the search for beauty, form and proportion, much more than functionality or even construction itself. This feature is part of my DNA, I was born this way, and increasingly I understand that I feel good in beautiful places and I like when, at the end of the project, I see beauty there. Ever since I was a Child I have always devored imported architecture and design magazines and traveled extensively in search of beauty.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

DR : 3-I often say to my team that the solution for the project lies in what already exists there, either in the place or in the client. Looking deeply at the two, they will give you the answer to everything that is to come and will also be the fuel of our creativity. Each peculiarity is more valued, each impediment or initial limitation is seen by us as an opportunity to create new and equally beautiful solutions. There is no main inspiration or a process of seeking ideas. In my work, every moment I try to follow and improve my personal taste and my aesthetic sense.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

DR : 4-The architecture I make is of transformation. I like it, to bring beauty into people's lives, to make the space around me beautiful. This does me good and I believe that many of my clients see my work that way too. In my work I am always trying to improve my aesthetic sense. Each project is always seen as unique and needs to have its own identity.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

DR : Discipline and organization. Implementing projects involves many problems during the process. Discipline and organization minimizes this.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

DR : The future will always be in the youngest, not only in architecture but in all areas. The impulse and passion of a young man who discovers his true vocation will always be more intense than someone who has reached maturity. However in my area the consecration ends up coming right up there. In youth we build our name and in maturity already with the trust of the customers and support of all we finally managed to execute without restriction our best ideas. My growth path and future plans lies only in letting flow this very mature sense of aesthetic and criativity that time and experience have given me. My dream project is my own apartment which I have been always posponing.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

DR : In my work I always sought excellence. I believe that in our area more than customer satisfaction, and fulfilling their expectations, it is necessary that, when we look at a work performed, we have the total satisfaction.In that sense I have always tried to go beyond what was requested, and like many other architects that I admire, our personal screening is always bigger than the client.Working in this way, only with the maximum degree of demand, we can really get out of the common place.I often say that a good job is always our main business card.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

DR : One thing that counts for professionals in the area who are already consolidated is never believing that the game is won. No matter how good we are at something or have already discovered a style of work, each work should be seen as a new challenge of both experimentation and implementation of new ideas. A professional to stay active in the market and have a long life should never sit on formulas that worked or believe that he has become a classic of himself repeating ideas and patterns of solutions and projects. As a true artist, I believe that the architect must always be immersed in a creative process that never ceases to evolve.

What is your day to day look like?

DR : I start my business morning checking on the latests developments on the projects that I have going on, and I also check the design news. In a boring business day I drink my coffee and set my mind in creating innovative solutions for my projects.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

DR : Design trends matter only up to a certain point to me, and I don't have a "personal style" that I follow unconditionally. Until recently I could not even identify a "style" of my own. This definition came from outside, by the specialized magazines and critics of the area. I really try not to worry about it. I think that thinking about each project individually frees me to create and surprise me with new results.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

DR : In my opinion architecture and beauty walk together. To me, first of all, architecture must move us from the aesthetic point of view. But a good architectural design more than beautiful needs to be "round" which means that I believe that the whole idea with a clear intention, a defined purpose and a round concept makes a project look good in any style proposed. I recognize and see quality in all architectural styles.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

DR : When I reach the beauty that I was searching. In all my projects there is a great aesthetic concern. To get to the end of a work and see that there is beauty there is what satisfies me the most.For this reason I like to conceive, execute and follow everything; until the last detail is finalized. I always seek balance, aesthetic rigor in a continuous exercise that starts from the structure, the empty box, and I slowly insert all the elements with extreme care so that the project is complete, coherent, and yet beautiful. Accompanying the photo session of an environment designed by me is always a very pleasant time.

What is your biggest design work?

DR : "Armani Casa" - It is the label of the Italian brand of George Armani for furniture and home accessories. I had the privilege of being chosen by them to do the first showroom in Brazil. I learned a lot from the level of demand of the Italians in relation to technique and quality. Associating my name with an internationally consolidated brand that carries luxury and quality in its DNA, like Armani, was one of the highest points of my career. At the moment we are working on a project for a hotel in Sao Paulo and it is a very big challenge because it is a very modern project, with many differentials, and many requirements.

Who is your favourite designer?

DR : Today I no longer draw inspiration from any architect because I feel comfortable doing and following my personal taste. I have even tried to restrict access to information to debug this essence of my "style" or personal taste. I believe that the more I am faithful to myself,, the better is the result of my work. Answering the question ,Philipp Starck is the most iconic designer for me. I really admire the work of Philippe Starck and whenever I travel I usually stay and visit both their hotels and restaurants. He is one of those that makes me have that sense of pleasure when I enter one of his environments. The pursuit of that pleasure that comes with the contact of what is beautiful will always be my greatest fuel.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

DR : I listen to music to relax and facilitate my thoughts and ideas, but I do not have a specific type of music or a city of inspiration. Each moment can bring me a different inspiration. My projects don’t have any cultural attachments.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

DR : My team is concise . Today we are 7 people and I have a hard time increasing it. Given that our work is extremely personalized and contains my DNA, everything that is produced passes through me. I am therefore responsible for everything we get right but also for the mistakes and I think that only in this way we can stand out and not fall into projects produced in series. In order to work with me it is necessary first of all to understand my way of thinking and adapt to my pace, which is fast and intense. I often say that my expectations are so great, that the office ends up being a second college for all those who come through here. For many it is an almost “traumatic” experience but many return , and whenever I meet them they are grateful to have learned a lot here.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

DR : At the moment I’m not involved in any humanitarian projects.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

DR : My last experience when participating in this competition was very positive in the sense that facilitated a lot the contact with professionals from all over the world and even colleagues from Brazil. By providing an environment that is very conducive to interaction between participants, this has opened doors for working together with other professionals.The visibility that a competition with the prestige and importance of the Design Award provides is relevant to the career of any professional. It certainly resonated with mine.The possibility of being nominated " Designer of the Day" makes me feel rewarded for my work, very happy and enormously honored.

Diego Revollo Profile