Beatrice Bonzanigo

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Beatrice Bonzanigo ("BB") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

BB : I studied at Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, Switzerland. I completed my education in 2009.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

BB : I was born in a family surrounded by architecture. I used to visit construction sites with my mother, father and grandfather. I remember the perfume of dust and fresh paint. I’ve always been interested in ancient civilizations, astronomy and philosophy. At 18 I found out that Architecture could embrace them all.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

BB : I choose it.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

BB : I mostly design apartments and villa's renovations projects in Italy and abroad. I would love to design more private houses from scratch.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

BB : Ahah, follow their heart.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

BB : A great designer has more courage than a good designer.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

BB : A really good design has to make obvious the desire that represents and it needs to be aesthetically pleasant.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

BB : As an architect I think that a good design needs to represent human beings as much as possible. Architecture has always been the most powerful tool for evolution.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

BB : A city that doesn't need any modern technology.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

BB : A city that doesn't need any modern technology.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

BB : I truly trust my life and I don't compromise a lot.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

BB : Frank Lloyd Wright, Peter Zumthor, Valerio Olgiati, and my mother Isabella Invernizzi.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

BB : Villa Alem by Valerio Olgiati. It is as provocative as simple. It is a step forward.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

BB : A winery in Chianti. Born from the embracing hill as it opens over the surrounding vineyards, the project harmoniously integrates with the aesthetics of the Tuscan landscape, sharing its poetry. And it has been a successfull war against Italian bureaucracy.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

BB : I keep traveling a lot.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

BB : I probably would have traveled in Space.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

BB : Poetry. Design and Architecture are the most powerful instrument to transform ideas, dreams and imagination into reality.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

BB : My mother, Architect Isabella Invernizzi.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

BB : I truly love what I do and I know how to listen to my dreams.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

BB : Italian bureaucracy and closed minded people.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

BB : I don't trust expectations, I trust what life brings to me. I would love to keep being an architect and use my job to represent our reality for future generations.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

BB : Bring ancient civilizations' skills to our society.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

BB : Unfortunately, to never fail.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

BB : I hope that form will not destroy functionality. Architecture could really help evolution.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

BB : I am working for starting the production of Casa Ojala, which is a big exciting challenge. Also, we are following an interesting exhibition design project at MADD – Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design in Bordeaux for Memphis. It is called "Plastic Field", in the old prisons of Bordeaux. A black field with black tropical plants to enlighten Memphis' forms and bright colors.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

BB : The project of a winery in Chianti. It took 7 years of hard work facing Italian bureaucracy. It has never been built for personal's reasons of the Client, but it has been the most complete school for me. It is a project of a new building to welcome the entire production of wine, from the grape to the bottle of Chianti Classico.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

BB : I'd love to see more attention to functionality and less attention to weird forms.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

BB : I cannot answer this. It depends on each design needs.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

BB : I take a lot of time to imagine and think.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

BB : Trust your own life without fear or compromise.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

BB : Trends set the design, unfortunately.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

BB : It depends.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

BB : Autocad and photoshop the most.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

BB : Ambient is the core. Materials and color born from the idea.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

BB : Where can I buy it?

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

BB : I empathize a lot.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

BB : I currently work with my mother as a partner and I could't ask for more.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

BB : My family.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

BB : The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Footprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

BB : I keep traveling a lot and looking around for new inspiration.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

BB : Leonardo Da Vinci.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

BB : I don't think I am famous, yet.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

BB : I keep changing my mind, but I do love pizza and summer.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

BB : During the Design Week somebody told me that Casa Ojala wasn't big enough for people, looking at the scale model 1:10.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

BB : I love not having a day like any other. I take time for meditation.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

BB : Not at all. It was obvious that I was a dreamer.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

BB : The world will be inhabited by a new human civilization that will have nothing to do with ours.