Francesco Draisci, associate, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris on holistic architecture & interiors, colour, and communicating to our senses.

Francesco Draisci, associate, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris believes that design is a language that can communicate to our senses.

Taking a holistic view of how architecture and interiors work together in harmony for optimum humane experience, Francesco has applied his skills to projects for some of the world's most recognisable brands. From Nike to V&A, Peroni to DuPont, as well as important architectural projects like Television Centre, Richmond House and 1 Broadgate.

When asked if he has a favourite project, though, Francesco says it's got nothing to do with the scale. "I like all the projects I have been working on, regardless of the scale or the prestige involved. There is always something to learn and opportunities to grow as a designer and human being."

Having met Francesco in connection with the opening of Material Source Studio London, and keen to find out more about his creative process, favoured materials, and narrative-driven use of colour, we sat down to chat more. Over to Francesco...

Firstly, can you please give us a brief overview of your professional career to-date?

"I moved to London 30-years ago after graduating in architecture in Florence. I worked with Richard Rogers Partnership (now RSHP) for a few years, then Ron Arad Associates and as design consultant with Allies Morrison, Walters and Cohen, Wilkinson Eyre and Arup.

"I directed for 12-years Draisci Studio, designing and developing multi-disciplinary projects for private clients, cultural institutions (V&A, Venice Biennale) as well as for commercial brands (Nike, Peroni, DuPont).

"In 2018 I joined AHMM to work on the holistic integration of the architecture and the interiors of complex commercial projects (BBC Television Centre, Richmond House, Shared-Living schemes and large office buildings)."

What does your day-to-day look like?

"The day is spent between the strategic thinking devising better ways to design efficiently, economically and ecologically, the design development of multiple projects with various teams, as well as preparation of presentations translating client aspirations into healthy, usable and enjoyable environments."

You’ve worked on projects with iconic brands from V&A to Nike and BBC. Do you have a favourite project so far?

"I like all the projects I have been working on, regardless of the scale or the prestige involved. There is always something to learn and opportunities to grow as a designer and human being.

"However I favour the exciting sense of anticipation of a new project, so my favourite one has to be the future project I do not even know about yet."

What are you working on currently?

"Imagining Shared-Living interiors since it seems to be a new emerging residential model in large cities and re-imagining workplace environments for the near future."

When it comes to designing a space, what’s most important to you?

"Interiors are about how to use buildings. So, I try to think as a human being using the space I am designing.

"I try to keep a simple common sense and remind myself of all the things that work successfully in the buildings I experience…as well as all the things that do not seem to favour a healthy human experience.

"Design is a language that can communicate to our senses. In large buildings, it is important for me that spaces display easily how to circulate intuitively without getting lost (and without too many wayfinding graphics), support the building purpose with furniture of appropriate scale and comfort, and use materials in a skilled way to give buildings a unique identity.

"Design is a language that can communicate to our senses."

"Also important is a good fit between the interiors and the architecture envelope. I mean that a window used as an opportunity to capture the best natural light is more valuable than a golden tap!"

And is that mirrored by clients generally?

"Some clients are quite discerning and understand the interior design process as a progressive refinement of the future use of the building. The interiors with such clients tend to bear more timeless and long-lasting values.

"Some other clients are just looking for a quick cosmetic uplift that they are planning to update in due course. The resulting projects need to be robustly adaptable to avoid ageing with fashion too soon."

Reuse is a big topic of conversation in the sector - how does that feature in your projects?

"Pagan temples became Christian churches that are now modern offices. Adapting existing buildings for new purposes is nothing new. It just makes a lot of sense to re-use what is readily available and save precious resources.

"All projects we work on are considered in terms of re-use: Old buildings have to be upgraded and re-imagined and new buildings have to be designed with their future adaptability in mind."

"Adapting existing buildings for new purposes is nothing new."

Are there any material innovations you’ve spotted that you’re particularly excited about?

"Sure. I find very exciting all the innovations around the use of natural materials like timber, cork, cardboard, stone…both as structural materials and as finishes."

What’s your favourite colour, and why?

"Colours have always been very much part of my design work. At AHMM, we often use colour to highlight contextual, cultural or architectural narratives.

"My personal favourite colours change and evolve with the context I need to apply them in.

"Recently I have been particularly intrigued by very light pastel hues like pink or very light blue as well as dark hues of green and red. I suppose it is their spatial powers that intrigue me: the pastels makes spaces look very open and lightweight (like in Rococo architecture), the dark makes spaces deep and intimate (like in primitive architecture)."

Where do you seek inspiration?

"Music, Art, Cinema - and generally by observing people and the world around me."

What’s next?

"On one side, the world is changing rapidly in the digital dimensions, but, on the other side, we as human beings still very much need physical experiences to enrich our lives.

"To keep imagining future spaces that stimulate the senses and enrich our lives is very much in my future aspirations.

"The more the screen-based, mediatic world depletes my senses, the more I find myself interested in things that are visceral, imperfect, tactile and scented."