We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Diego Revollo ("DR").
Diego Revollo began his studies in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo in 1994. He joined University Presbiteriana Mackenzie in 1997 and graduated in Architecture and Urbanism in 2001. He began his career in 2000 and in 2007 he started with his own studio. He works from the initial conception of houses, apartments and commercial environments, until the choice of objects and works of art. Diego likes to bring beauty to people's lives, to leave the space around them beautiful. In his projects there is not a main inspiration, he tries to follow and enhance his taste and aesthetic sense. For him, each project is unique, and needs its own identity. He always tries to start from the existing, often from the initial situation of the place, and together with the client they construct a "history". Diego does a totally personalized work that carries his signature, and this is why it is not easy to expand. He has a team of architects who help him, but everything about the projects goes through him. All the drawings, all the samples, objects... Everything passes through his hands. Each customer is very important to him, but the project of two stores were important achievements for Diego: Armani Casa - It is the “Seal” of the Italian brand of Georgio Armani for furniture and home accessories. He had the privilege of being chosen by them for the first showroom in Brazil. Associating his name with an internationally established brand as Armani was one of the highest points of his career. Artefacto - He developed the project of the showroom in Haddock Lobo Store in São Paulo. This store is a flagship, the most important and the one that sets the style of all the other stores in the group. He was approached by the store owner, and it was a great responsibility, but had a great repercussion and a very positive result. Diego works 9 hours at the office, and during the rest of the day, even not working, he is always thinking about projects and looking for new ideas. He is never totally off.
Diego Revollo Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Diego Revollo.
Designer Interview of Diego Revollo:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
DR : Since I was Young I was fascinated with everything that had to do with a house. I remember one time coming back from a trip, around 10 or 11 years old, I found the apartment I lived in with a fresh renovation, with new curtains, carpet and bedspread in my room. I remember how much it was enjoyable to see such change. A while later I remember that when I was around 16, 17 years old, we renovated the apartment again and I kept up with practically every decision and already had opinions and convictions of my own. Even though, at the age of 18 I never thought I could make a living out of it. Today I feel very comfortable and privileged for living my professional choice practically 24hrs a day.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DR : I worked for 7 years in a renowned office (Roberto Migotto) in São Paulo and I have my own office since 2008. I started my office by myself and gradually grew. Today I still consider it a small/medium size office. This to me is an advantage because I have set my rhythm and ways of working from the start. Today my biggest challenge is to grow but still maintain this DNA that is product of my personality. For having a work that is so authorial, absolutely everything that is done inside my office goes through me. I am extremely attentive to details and very demanding with everyone, not only my team, but also my suppliers and even my clients. To work with me the first thing that is necessary is to understand my universe. Only this way I can guarantee the quality and excellence in my work.
DI: What is "design" for you?
DR : The architecture I do is transformation. I like bringing beauty into people’s lives, making the space around me beautiful. This does me well and I believe that many of my clients also see my work this way.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DR : The work of an architect fascinates me in different ways. On one side, the possibility of transforming spaces, making an existing place with limits a more extensive, beautiful and functional space. On the other side, building something from zero and going through the process of creation without limits, thinking from the macro of functionality to the micro elements such as a painting choice or a décor item brings me so much satisfaction.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DR : Today I am no longer inspired by one architect in specific because I feel comfortable doing and following my personal taste. I have even tried to restrict the access to information to refine this essence of “my style” or personal taste. I believe that the more I am loyal to what I am the better the result in my work will be. Regardless, I admire very much the work of Philippe Stark and every time I travel I usually stay and experience his hotels and restaurants.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DR : I always say that the client and the limitations or characteristics of a place are the main guidelines of any project. This set is always the starting point and by respecting this premise the project advances in the right direction, that is to say, in the most favorable scenario. I always try to identify the client’s taste and try to only refine the edges of what is in excess or estimulate what he has that is unique and that I appreciate. I don’t like mediocre projects without personality that aren’t noticed or are predictable. I prefer to run the risks and I think that twist is found in never repeating myself and always being challenged by the different clients and unique wishes.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DR : My biggest commitment is always to beauty. I like what is beautiful. I was born with this characteristic and have no guilt. When I finish a work and see that it is beautiful I am happy. I would be lying if I said that this satisfaction in seeing beauty in the things I do is not what drives me.
DI: What makes a design successful?
DR : I value above all beauty and have, as main virtues, the aesthetic rigorousness and pursuit of balance.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DR : There is no main inspiration or process of searching for ideas. In my work at any given moment I try to follow and improve my personal taste and my sense of aesthetics. Each project is always seen as unique and needs its own identity. I try to take off from the existing, a lot of times from the current situation of a construction and along with the client, create a story. In this journey I exercise my aesthetic sense and try to reach a unique result that pleases me.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
DR : I believe I value most of all quality. What is good, what really has quality, usually resist better the passing of time. Therefore the timeless character of most of my projects that remain beautiful and current for a long period is a result of this way of thinking. I break away from what is mainstream, I am very careful with new material and with regard to what is news I have a peculiar filter. I think it’s important for the industry to always estimulate new incomings because it is healthy in the financial point of view. Although, throughout the years a lot of clients become friends and come back with new projects, which makes me very responsible with everything I specify. I am aware I deal with high values and great investments in my renovations therefore I can’t accept that the client embarks in products or services that don’t stand out for the quality and that don’t withstand well the passing of time.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
DR : I live in Morumbi, a privileged neighborhood in São Paulo, Brasil. I don’t think there is a country that I prefer. I consider myself an urban person and I like to visit different cities. Being extremely attentive to details and very observant I stock everything I see and like. Like a radar my sight registers everything that is interesting in the aesthetics point of view. This view is always very personal but I still believe that every city has something beautiful to show. The only thing that is required is to train your sight and pay attention to details.
DI: How do you work with companies?
DR : I play my role from the inicial concept of houses, apartments or comercial spaces to the choice of final objects or works of art.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DR : By thinking of each project individually I am free to create and surprise myself with new results. In all of my projects there is a great concern with aesthetics. To come to the end of a renovation and see that there is beauty in it is what satisfies me. For this reason I like to conceive, implement, and oversee everything, to the last detail. I always pursue balance and aesthetics rigorousness in a continuous exercise that sets off from the structure, the empty box, and I slowly place all elements with extreme caution so that the project is whole, coherent, and still beautiful. To observe the photo shoot of a room designed by me is always very enjoyable.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
DR : I work 9hrs in the office and the rest of the Day I am always thinking about my projects. I never disconnected because that is my greatest amusement
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DR : The future is always with the younger generations, not only in architecture but in all areas. The impulse and passion of a young mind that learns his true vocation will always be more intense than someone who has already reached maturity. However, in my area, the consecration ends up coming more ahead. In youth we build our names and in maturity, with the trust of our clients and support of everyone, we are finally able to implement with restrictions our best ideas.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DR : Balance. Everything can be done as long as we pay attention to this detail.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DR : I draw in Autocad
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DR : I work 9hrs in the office and the rest of the Day I am always thinking about my projects. I never disconnected because that is my greatest amusement
DI: What was your most important job experience?
DR : Armani Casa – It is the label of the renowned italian brand Giorgio Armani for furniture and house accessories. I had the privilege of being chosen by them to design the first showroom in Brazil. I learned a lot with the level of demand of the Italians regarding technique and quality. To associate my name to such an internationally well-established brand that carries luxury and quality in its DNA that is Armani was one of the highest points in my career so far.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
DR : - Armani Casa - Artefacto Haddock Lobo - This is the flagship, the most important, that defines all the other stores in the group. - Augusto Moreno Closets
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DR : Like all architects I dream in designing my own house. This I haven’t accomplished yet but it is near.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DR : My team is small especially IF we consider the workload we have and the repercussions of it. As my work is extremely customized and carries my signature I have a hard time growing and expanding. Everything that goes out of my office goes through me. Every drawing, every fabric sample, every object chosen. Everything goes through my hands. That makes me completely responsible for our positive turnouts but also for our mistakes.
DI: How can people contact you?
DR : www.diegorevollo.com.br contato@diegorevollo.com.br