With a relevant background and a broad experience, Daniele Petteno’s Architecture Workshop follows and develops a wide range of architecture and interior design projects. His works have received international recognitions and have been featured in countless publications worldwide.

Daniele’s belief that ‘less is more’ and his view on “injecting an element of the natural-external environment into internal spaces we live in daily” is exemplified exceptionally in his designs.

Inex has interviewed Daniele exploring his creative mindset and design style. Here, Daniele explains his love for natural daylight within an interior design concept, and explains how he personally feels that it can contribute to a scheme – to really achieve a bright and spacious feel to a home.

Q. What inspired you to become an interior designer?

We spend most of our lives in built environments, which are – in most cases – poorly designed. It is the wish to help people live in better places that gives me constant inspiration and focus. Interior design can also encourage people to live better lives.

Q. Who has been your greatest influence throughout your career?

Personally I feel all architects and designers that have considered the internal composition of space as a primary factor of quality – regardless of their time, age or era have influenced me throughout my career. From the Roman Domus architects, to Michelangelo, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and John Pawson have all been a great influence to my designs.

Q. What is your most regarded professional achievement?

Being awarded and appreciated in various countries and contexts, which have totally different design approaches, tastes, habits and lifestyles has been a great achievement.

Q. What is your signature style?

The absolute absence of cliches; each project has a unique design, which is tailored to satisfy the client’s needs, and contextualised to enhance each site’s peculiarities.

Q. Do you have a favoured colour palette when it comes to design?

Nothing is established upfront, I look at each site with fresh eyes. Colours and materials are time-to-time selected in relation to the type of project; the location, the concept and the amount of natural light.

Q. What do you value most about the design industry?

The capability in the industry to coordinate timeless requirements, and desires with the latest and coolest trends in a way that could be flexible enough to accompany our changing needs.

Q. When reflecting on your design for the Basement Flat in Islington, what do you feel is the focal point to this design?

There is quite an obvious focal point towards the television, alongside another focal point which drives your attention through the living spaces, to the rear garden.

Q. In your view, what has been the greatest influence in the evolution of the design sector?

The revolution of the modern movements in the early decades of the 20th century. Running from its four masters: Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius.

Q. How do you feel that light contributes to the design of an interior?

Most of our projects are conceived to maximise the natural daylight and minimise the use of artificial lighting. This becomes an absolute primary factor, especially in a new build where there is more flexibility and freedom in coordinating glazing and openings.

Q. Can you describe the initial thought process for your project an Entrance Hall for Two Art Lovers?

The overall concept here was to create an elegant entrance hall, through a clean perspective, with a hidden source of natural light coming in from the windows of the first floor. The subject here is the artwork on the main wall, and not the interior architecture generated, therefore colours, materials and shapes drive visitors’ attention to the artwork.

Q. Can you explain your design process when you receive a brief?

A good project is like a story. I initially spend time to think about a concept. If it is strong and the client likes it, the project will successfully drive-through all the other choices.

Q. Can you describe the brief that you received for your recent project, The Terraced House in Battersea?

The Terraced House in Battersea is a typical Victorian terraced house of approximately 160m² – which has been more than doubled in size. Works are ongoing currently, a full, front-to-back, 32m long, basement has already been excavated. A two-storey extension will be built at the rear, and the loft will be extended and remodelled. The whole house will essentially be demolished and rebuilt, according to contemporary living standards. The client is a family with three children, whom require the ground floor to be a welcoming reception room at the front, and a large living room at the rear. The client requires typical functions, a living-dining kitchen in the basement – which they wanted as a spacious area with plenty of natural light. The upper floors include a combination of bedrooms and bathrooms and the owners’ master-suite is located at the top of the house, which includes a dressing area, a private bathroom and panoramic views.