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Multiple awards winner in the category of wellness and spa design, Alberto Apostoli of his eponymous studio of architecture and design shares his experience of creating environments that make people uber-comfortable. Copy: Alberto believes that people relax more, when they are in their most natural environment; thus, he designs with a context-based approach. Local construction materials and styles dominate his work, and most designs allow large open areas and as little visual barriers as possible, sometimes even at the expense of privacy. This design firm does not only concern itself with just the design aspects of a project, but extends much beyond to the business of the spa itself. Using this as the differentiator, Studio Albert Apostoli stands apart as a specialized spa designer; possibly because Alberto dedicates at least one day a week to his personal training! In a tête-à-tête with IAnD, Ar. Alberto Apostoli talks about his inspirational designs and what drives him. Excerpts from the interview: IAnD: What inspires you to execute this category of projects? Alberto Apostoli: Any building should be thought, first, to give well-being to the people, who live there. I have always pursued this goal. And what better environment can give people more comfort than a spa? I started more than twenty years ago, drawing some products destined for beauty farms. I conceived a treatments-bed - very innovative for that time. The industry fascinated me instantaneously and I started designing small spa and wellness centers and have grown to the vast, big structures that today my studio can design. IAnD: And how do you spatially correlate relaxation themes and the human aspect? AA: People relax more when they are in the most natural environment possible. So, I try to design spa that best fits into the context, preferring construction materials and styles of that exact location. I eliminate as far as possible the visual barriers, sometimes even at the expense of guests’ privacy. IAnD: Where following new trends and constant upgrading is the need in the business world, how do you justify the uniqueness of your services? AA: My goal is to create new trends rather than follow them; however, I look for inspiration from other sectors, especially from the Italian fashion industry, which has always influenced design in any field. As far as technology and materials are concerned, it is essential to keep up-to-date. It is important to confront other experts in my own field. I always dedicate at least one day a week to my personal training. In these twenty years of experience, my study has developed profound knowledge in "spa design". Our knowledge does not only concern the design aspects, but also the economic, financial and management aspects, as well as marketing. In some cases, we have designed spas, starting with the communication strategy conceived from the beginning together with the client. IAnD: Is there a design philosophy that directly influences/ inspires you? AA: Location is my main source of inspiration, what the Romans called genius loci. I like to integrate my design with the context as much as possible. I prefer local materials and, in some cases, also local construction techniques. In Sicily, for example, we made a treatment room within a large "rope basket", built using the same technique used by the Sicilian peasants. IAnD: The one quality in you that has been your USP to success? Why? AA: I believe my strength is ‘curiosity’, my personal desire to keep learning. I have always tried to stay upgraded even on lesser significant arguments to have a global vision of our reality to achieve a true holistic architecture. The Italy-based Studio Alberto Apostoli is much-sought-after as the go-to designer for spa and wellness designs. The firm has won multiple awards for its projects and has a global presence with a head office in Italy and branch offices in Guangzhou, Casablanca, Santiago and Muscat. check out the visuals on indiaartndesign.com
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spa, health+wellness, travel, resort, relax+rejuvenate, water therapy.,
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