If you take a walk through an empty plot of land with Antonia Pizà to study the best position and orientation of a new house to design, you may end up smelling the freshly brewed coffee in your yet-to-be built kitchen. Born into a family of builders (her grandfather, father and brother all builders) Antonia has honed her skill at visualizing living spaces and sensing potential. Her enthusiasm carries her clients through the complex processes of renovation or building from scratch and the unique results are always worth the time and effort. “Promise me that you will stay true to good architecture when you go back to Mallorca,” her professor told Antonia, after she completed her studies in Barcelona. He meant for her to believe in her potential and to be conscient of the responsibilities of an Architect and be aware of the imprint that her projects will leave on the environment. She kept her promise. Her company 353 Arquitectes in Alarò design one-of-a-kind, sustainable living spaces which are firmly integrated in their environment and transmit good vibrations, like she does in person.
Grounded Living Spaces
“A property’s environment is essential,” says Antonia. “If you can move a building from one place to another, then there must be something wrong.” When visiting a plot or an existing building in need of renovation, she always considers the views and orientation first. By integrating the landscape into her design, she creates homes which feel grounded. Antonia supports rehabilitating properties rather than constructing new ones, wherever possible, and is adept at giving traditional Mallorcan architecture a contemporary makeover. In an initial visit of an old home, she always evaluates which materials are worth saving and the possible secrets behind the walls. A sandstone arch or exposed stone wall can combine stunningly with large glass windows, for instance. That’s not to say new builds can’t have soul too. “The challenge is to create modern homes which are authentic and don’t lose their humanity,” she says.
A special 25th anniversary
Next year 353 Arquitectes will be celebrating their 25th year of designing beautiful buildings. Antonia gestures to the garden where they may be holding the party and reveals that her studio is also the family home where she grew up. Her strong Mallorcan roots fuel her desire to preserve the authenticity of the island and raise awareness of the importance of ecological construction. However, she also emphasises that a good architect is one who puts their client’s requirements ahead of their own ego. “An architect needs to be a good listener,” Antonia says, mentioning the importance of feedback sessions. “Our mission it to designs spaces in which people can live and enjoy and really feel like their own – not to show off in magazines.” Since practising yoga and mindfulness on a regular basis, she has found herself better equipped to assimilate the inevitable problems that arise in this field of work. “When you are receptive you see solutions more clearly… With a serene mind everything is solvable,” she says, smiling. This positive outlook feeds into her unique projects and strengthens her collaborations across the island.
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