A sit-down with architect Marco Braghiroli of Prestige Architects

What drives your passion for architecture and design? What made you decide to get into the industry?

My passion for design and art is very much in my DNA, both my parents are architects and there is a very long history of successful and well-known artists, art dealers and musicians in the family tree; so I think there is much in there which has created interest in architecture at a very early age. I was breathing architecture and art every day at home when I was a child!

Describe a typical day at the office for you

There is no typical day in the office. Every day is different which is the beauty of my profession. I usually start working at 5am, which allows me a good four hours of desk work prior to the site opening. Then the daily adventure start with various meetings on site, client meetings or suppliers workshop visits. It’s very fluid and exciting. 

Of course, there are intense days of brainstorming and design focus on the projects with the team but rarely can you pinpoint a typical weekly schedule. I currently also have a  few projects outside of the UK; in Switzerland, Italy and Greece, so I travel on site for a couple of days every month which makes things even more exciting.

What is the most frustrating aspect of your job? What’s the most enjoyable or rewarding aspect?

The most frustrating aspect of my work that I have noticed from experience are two things: underperforming third parties and managing projects during holiday seasons. 

  It can be very frustrating when, in a design team, somebody underperforms. Over the years I have created a close team of consultants and contractors which I usually recommend to clients. They are as motivated as I am to complete each project on time and on budget and I have been lucky enough that my clients trust my choices.   The other aspect which is slightly frustrating is holiday seasons. I am certainly not against holidays in principle as I believe it’s healthy to take breaks from work to spend with friends and family, but when it comes to planning projects; a lot of our supply chain is based in Europe and especially in Italy and the July/August months are the worst with most of the manufacturing industry slowing down or stopping which can be challenging when working to deadlines.

Your projects have often been described as “glamorous”? Would you agree with that?

Absolutely, I would also add the word “tailored” to it. Every client has a different requirement and design direction, so the aim is always to follow the requirement, aiming for a bespoke glamour aspect for each one of them.

What can your clients expect when working with you?

The key of my approach and one important element my clients expect from me is attention. Attention to their requirements and attention to detail. Usually my relationship with clients start as a professional one and move to friendship; hence I tend to work for them for years on multiple projects. They appreciate the dedication to the project and the aim to achieve the goals which is always rewarding. I always want to ensure that the right amount of time is dedicated to the projects and it has often happened that a client has approached me with a new project and I have been lucky enough that they are prepared to wait for work to start if I am too busy.

Do you have any rules that you absolutely work by?

The key rule for me is being open and clear with everybody, especially clients. If we need five months to prepare the detailed package of information then I am very strict with my clients to ensure we have, as a team, the correct time frame in place to enjoy the process.    

Quite often in the industry the client dictates the time frame with unachievable deadlines which have the inevitable knock-on effect of disrupting the full process, especially during the construction phase. This can create conflict further down the line which can be easily addressed with more time and work scheduled at the beginning of the process. The other rule I work by is “what you see is what you get”, so I have no reservations in speaking my mind on the process to anyone I believe people engage with you for your creativity and know-how as an architect but ultimately I think there is a bit of my Italian blood which comes through!

Is there a signature touch that you bring to all your designs?

I always try to reinvent myself, making the process more exciting to everybody involved but one key element that I try to add is continuity in the detail. I personally feel that when I design a new apartment or a new house we need to create an element that connects all the spaces, this can be a material or a detail which runs through the project. I believe that the eye requires a continuity in design to achieve a harmonious approach.

Given unlimited resources and budget, what would your dream project be?

My dream project would be to design a summer house in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. I have been blessed that I have been involved in such project before but my passion to get another one started is great. I like to be involved in unique projects at all costs as they are a big part of my daily excitement and enthusiasm. Currently we are working on a large 75,000sqf XIX century fortress in Italy with feasibility study for a luxury hotel, a new 11,000sqf chalet in Switzerland which is on-site and a new 13,000sqf house in Greece which is currently at an early design stage.

You can find out more about Prestige Architects and their fantastic work through their profile and on www.prestige.eu.com