The fact that Patricia Urquiola has one foot in Spain and the other in Italy certainly does not go unnoticed in her work. The artist was born in Oviedo, Spain but now spends most of her time in Milan, Italy. As a young architecture student, she studied at the Faculdad de Arquitectura de Madrid. She later transferred to Italy where she graduated from the Milan Polytechnic in 1989 (with a thesis mentored by Achille Castiglioni). She furthered her studies, while also leading courses, at the Milan Polytechnic and at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Creation Industrielle (ENSCI) in Paris. With such a colorful and Latin environment, her designs take on the flowering inspirations of these European cultures.
Having worked for famous design houses such as Depadova, Agape, B&B, Alessi, Driade, Foscarini, Kartell, Flos, Molteni, Artelano and Moroso, it is no wonder that Patricia Urquiola has generated a devoted following for her design style and aesthetic. She is clearly inspired by organic, natural objects and patterns like flowers and exotic fruits. Unfortunately, despite her renown, her website and online profiles are quite sparse. I would therefore like to reproduce an interview done by the brilliant team at Design Boom (designboom.com) in 2007 for a more intimate look at the designer.
Q: What is the best moment of the day?
A: The morning, when I first wake up. At the moment this is a different story, with a small child…sometimes I wake up very early, yesterday it was at 4 am.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to at the moment?
A: Me and Alberto, used to enjoy listening to music in bed for an hour in the morning, music of all different genres. Now we do this less often, sometimes late in the evening when the girls are asleep.
Q: Do you listen to the radio?
A: I don’t like to listen to the radio very much, but do when we travel by car.
Q: What books do you have on your bedside table?
A: Quite a few. Currently some books Oscar Tousquet gave to me, one on re-use and another on the concept of emptiness.
Q: Do you read design and architecture magazines?
A: Yes, I sometimes check the ones that I like.
Q: When you were a child, did you want to become an architect and designer?
A: Yes, since I was 12. To study architecture meant I had to leave Oviedo, the city where I grew up, and go to Madrid or Barcelona. Also I liked the idea of creative work with rigor.
Q: Do you discuss your work with other designers or architects?
A: Yes, always whilst working for others and now working for myself.
Q: Where do you usually work on your projects?
A: In my studio and also at the manufacturers. I like to decide on details together with them. I’m a little obsessed by projects; they are always on my mind.
Q: Describe your style as a good friend of yours would describe it.
A: More than talking about my style, I prefer to talk abouta method of working. I’m quite eclectic, varied and diverse. I like to think in different scales at the same time, in architecture and design. I’m interested in behavior structures, artisan techniques, certain aspects of memory… aspects of my life.
Q: Can you describe an evolution in your work?
A: I guess there is an evolution, but this happens on its own. Every project needs a very long dialogue with the client. They can sometimes last up to two years and even overlap. For example with Patrizia Moroso, B&B or with Flos…I have just started working with Depadova again, after so many years. I would describe it as a long and beautiful dance.
Q: Which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction?
A: I always think that the project I’m working on will be the best. I am very curious to see the results of my recent study for a lamp for Flos. Most probably my continued collaboration with Patrizia Moroso is more significant to me than any singular design or best-seller.
Q: You are working in a man’s world. Who would you like to design something for?
A: I like to work for passionate entrepreneurs, who give me a precise briefing and like to discuss it, people who are able to have fun. I do not have many desires – this is very masculine -often desires transform themselves into frustration.
Q: Is there a designer or architect from the past that has influenced you or that you particularly appreciate the work of?
A: I was very fortunate to work with Vico Magistretti which was an important experience in my career and Achille Castiglioni. I like the work of the Eames, the Scandinavians and Franco Albini.
Q: And contemporary designers and architects?
A: Jasper Morrison, who I respect very much, his work is a point of reference. The Bouroullecs and Konstantin Grcic, who are all very talented and I follow their work with pleasure.
Q: Do you have any advice for the young?
A: I had a slow start to my career, I spent a lot of years studying and I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody. Be very passionate and curious! Find a few cultural references and people who can give you guidance to develop your personality. Try to defend your ideas and projects, create your own formula.
Q: Is there anything that you are afraid of regarding the future?
A: I don’t have many worries regarding my work. I am very fortunate. I am more worried about my responsibilities to my family and raising my children.
http://www.patriciaurquiola.com/
Carolyn Breit
