Alessio Patalocco

Alessio Patalocco is an Italian architect and self-described urban artist in equal measure. His studio is a flexible structure that allows him to “breathe”, all the while working with a number of collaborators on everything from small residential to large public projects.

There is a great emphasis on street art in his designs and he uses the same method whether to conceptualise a mural drawing or a urban project.

“The most important thing is that creativity’s final product takes us to a different place. To this end, I mix stories and languages from start to finish of each project. Pushing Lipovetsky’s philosophical stance on the hyper-modern individual to its natural conclusion, I instinctively link multiple strands and dimensions in my work.”

There is a great versatility in Patalocco’s output, both in terms of geographical locations and type: from Asia to Europe; from bridges and urban/ public spaces to houses, farms, airports and experimental spaces.

“As is the case with many architects, some of the concepts remain on paper, but they start as an artistic exercise based on direct inspiration by clients, contexts, historical meanings, even our own sense of humour. In built projects too there is a special

PIAZZA DELL’OLMO IN TERNI (BUILT 2014): A urban redevelopment of an ancient square in the centre of Terni putting a unique pink color made by pavement lights disposed as a starry sky. Two different shelters, made of steel and black fabrics, offer a shelter for the young people of this square. People call this place “Batman’s square”: the design project bring their imagination in another “fantastic” place. (Photo credit: Angelo Papa, Gianni Aniballi)

THE PAINTED PUB (COMPLETED 2012): This is an interior conceptualised as a street art intervention: the perception of the space changes only with the addition of “freestyle” mural paintings. (Photo credit: Ilaria Lupi)

bond between architect and client – not only do we appreciate our clients as clients but also as individuals who want to make a change in the world and want to accomplish this with us as the creative force behind the change.

I use my personal interpretation of them and more often than not, they inspire me subconsciously more than their original brief.”

All architects today apply the principles of sustainable design but Patalocco takes this to a whole new level. “I believe that sustainability should be at the core of all concepts, not simply a means to an end. I focus on “social sustainability” and the human aspect – as an artist I must come up with solutions that make places aesthetically strong. I don’t use the term “sustainability” with my clients, rather, I prefer to let them understand the point of sustainability in all our projects.”

Increasingly, buildings in general and high spec homes in particular are expected to be “smart”, automated and roboticsoptimised. The rise of the home office/remote work post-

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“As an architect and as an individual I am equally comfortable with smart technologies and with more traditional systems.”

pandemic is gathering traction. Architecture is at the forefront of this new revolution.

“Paul Valery said “The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be”. I approach this argument by establishing an effortless relationship between “life” and “time” and optimising my clients’ comfort to the maximum. Often architects/designers use a mix of technologically advanced and “old” solutions for purely artistic/visual effect, without any regard for the ultimate purpose of implementing new technologies. In our last residential project, which began in 2020, we focused more on establishing areas with acoustic insulation, so that each inhabitant can carve out their own personal space, rather than on creating home office spaces. As an architect and as an individual I am equally comfortable with smart technologies and with more traditional systems.”

RESTORATION OF A MODERN CHURCH (2013 CONCEPT; UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH MARCO IAPADRE): An intervention in modern architecture designed by an important Italian firm (Giuseppe Nicolosi, 1901-1981). We preserved the exterior but transformed the interior into a gallery for contemporary art. (Photo credit: Marco Iapadre)