His eyes are a blue as bright as the water that laps on the edges of this old building. Yet another construction zone, albeit one that he is on the verge of finishing and where he enjoys receiving guests. In the hills above this town, located in provincial Arezzo, Roberto Baciocchi is a king with a mischievous glint in his eyes. As the architect for Prada’s stores, the Tuscan architect is a fascinating character. The rigorous style for which he is renowned, and which is the hallmark of all his public designs, is demonstrated perfectly here. Coming face-to-face with him, the thick stone walls – a characteristic of this ancient settlement – speak for themselves. They are highly expressive. As if Roberto Bachiocchi was interpreting their message. Ready to embody the spirit that lies dormant in their lumps and bumps. Seeking hidden dynamism, finding contrast and, above all, adding value. The materials and objects have their own stories. Despite this, the original structure of the location remains intact. Its patina, and its shapes, remain. This comes as second nature for a perfectionist like Roberto Baciocchi. Colour and light combine in the residence, mixing the past with the present, to define its strange charm. There is a multitude of detail. Catching the eye wood is used in all kinds of ways, there are startling texture combinations, and a plethora of tiles with hypnotising reflections that blend seamlessly into the sky… Monumental. Not to mention the collection of Murano glass ashtrays in shapes that are as crazy and varied as his furniture. Always curated with the utmost skill. Just like the man himself.
Roberto, who are you? How would you define your job?
I consider myself to be a very fortunate person because my interests correspond precisely with the work I do.
Do you have preferred materials?
All materials interest me, according to the application and the effect I wanted to obtain I find them very stimulating both for their technical characteristics and the way they reflect light and contribute to an atmosphere.
What do you like most about your job?
Variety is what I enjoy most about my work. Besides, each project is different from the last, and it is always very stimulating.
Do you have a mentor?
My father was my mentor. He was the person who passed on to me this unique way of approaching materials and pushed me towards this work.
Do you work more for individuals or professionals?
I work as much for brands as for private individuals, but also for hotels (incidentally the only hotel I have designed is the Hotel L’Orologio in Venice).
What is the history of this stone house?
Beyond being a house, it is above all a tower. That is actually how it was built. I wanted to leave the character of the spaces as they are by enhancing the materials and playing on the contrasts by using the modernity of the furniture and the infrastructure.
Do you have a room that you particularly like?
The room I like the best is the one that I am going to modify next. I actually use this tower as a showroom where I exhibit objects that I draw and that are part of my collection.
Is there a period in the history of design that you particularly like?
The one I like most is post-war Italian design because it conveys the very best in Italian expression.
Where do you source your furniture – which is a real collection today?
My furniture pieces have been collected through my travels around the world. Recently, for example, I found some extremely old chairs during a trip to China.
What will your next projects be?
At the moment, we are working on shops in Europe and China again.
What is your next holiday destination?
My next holiday will be in Sicily because it is over there that I find a concentration of places rich in buildings, colours and history, and then there is the sea and all the uniquely fine flavours.
Photography: Constance Gennari – Text: Caroline Balvay @thesocialitefamily
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