Patricia Urquiola

patricia urquiola was born in 1961 in oviedo, spain. she studied architecture at the faculdad de arquitectura de madrid. after transferring to italy she graduated from the milan polytechnic in 1989 (with a thesis mentored by achille castiglioni). from 1990 to 1992 she assisted in the courses held by achille castiglioni and eugenio bettinelli, both at the milan polytechnic and at the ENSCI, paris. in 1991 she started working for the furniture company de padova in milan, heading the product development office, where she also designed her first furniture items (together with vico magistretti). between 1993 and 1996 she opened an associated studio with two friends, working on architecture, interiors, showrooms and restaurants. from 1996 to 2000 she became manager of the lissoni associati design group and in 2001 she opened her own studio in milan, focusing on product design, displays and architecture. she became best known through her many pieces for moroso. patricia has won many design awards and spoke at conferences and seminars in various international universities. her recent work includes projects for depadova, moroso, agape, B&B, alessi, driade, foscarini, kartell, flos, molteni, artelano, and others. http://www.patriciaurquiola.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------designboom met patricia urquiola in milan on march patricia urquiola image © designboom 26th, 2007. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------what is the best moment of the day? 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. what kind of music do you listen to at the moment? 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. do you listen to the radio? I don’t like to listen to the radio very much, but do when we travel by car. what books do you have on your bedside table? quite a few. currently some books oscar tousquet gave to me, one on re-use and another on the concept of emptiness. do you read design and architecture magazines? yes, I sometimes check the ones that I like. where do you get news from? newspapers I guess you notice how men are dressing, do you have any preferences? I like men who are balanced and attractive,

whatever they might be wearing. are there any clothes that you avoid wearing? flesh toned stockings. awful! do you have any pets? a dog. ‘iola’, she is so sweet! when you were a child, did you want to become an architect and designer? 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. do you discuss your work with other designers or architects? yes, always. whilst working for others and now working for myself. where do you usually work on your projects? 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. describe your style as a good friend of yours would describe it.

more than talking about my style, I prefer to talk about a method of working. I’m quite ecletic, varied and diverse. I like to think in different scales at the same time, ‘antibodi’ chaise longue for moroso, 2006 in architecture and design. I’m interested in behavior structures, artisan techniques, certain aspects of memory... aspects of my life. can you describe an evolution in your work? 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. which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction? 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 bestseller. you are working in a man's world... who would you like to design something for? 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. ‘T-table’ for kartell, 2006 I do not have many desires - this is very masculine often desires transform themselves into frustration. is there a designer or architect from the past that has influenced you or that you particularly appreciate the work of? 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. and contemporary designers and architects?

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. do you have any advice for the young? I had a slow start to my career, I spent a lot of years studying and I would’nt 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. is there anything that you are afraid of regarding the future? 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.

‘buckle’ watch for alessi, 2005

‘ola’ armchair with pouf for depadova, 2004

‘flo’, chair with painted steel structure covered with wicker, for driade, 2004

‘bague’ table lamp, design in collaboration with eliana gerotto, for foscarini, 2003

‘lazy’ seat for B&B, 2003

‘clip’ bed for molteni, 2003

‘fjord’ armchair and foot stool, for moroso, 2002

‘lowland’ sofa for moroso, 2000

‘flower’ armchair, design by vico magistretti with patricia urquiola for depadova, 1996