Q&A with Dario Dell’Annunziata, Director at ArchCollab
The ArchCollab team are a diverse group of creative individuals with a wide mix of skills, personalities and experiences, all situated under one roof in our studio located in Fortitude Valley. But who are we all?
Each fortnight we’ll be doing a Q&A style blog post with each member of our team, so you can get to know them a bit better.
First up, we’re kicking things off with our Director, Dario
What’s your role at ArchCollab, and what does it involve?
I am the director. Hard to briefly describe the role however, it requires the coordination and collaboration of all business activities, client relationships, business development, team mentoring development and growth, financial budgeting and reporting (as a start).I am also the 10% inspiration to many projects or elements to projects (I leave the 90% perspiration to the team!!)
What is the first thing you do when you sit down to work?
COFFEE and perhaps a cheeky breakfast (muesli in summer and porridge in winter). I’m normally last one in these days so I have to tip toe in whilst everyone is head down bum up.
Then I select some terrible playlist on Spotify or Sonos and get into the groove. Often a mix of sunset grooves, lo-fi buzz, chill vibes (or my old fav’s from the 80’s!!)
What are you passionate about? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I’m blessed to have my feet facing east and the sun rise being on my face – perhaps not a good thing in summer and also why I’m late in winter! In terms of passion, I would have to say helping people from many walks of life in many different fashions. Predominantly in design but also having a listening ear.
What is your favorite city in the world for its architecture/design and why?
It’s a place not many tourists frequent and a place that is perhaps obvious for those that know me, but I would have to say Napoli. From the historic Roman ruins to the magnificent power of Mt Vesuvius hanging in the backdrop to the city. The ruins of Pompei, the Isle of Capri, the minimal number of tourists, the fashion, the passion for love and life, the food, the bay, the Amalfi coast – seriously, is there a better city in the world? Oh – architecture – Galleria Principe di Napoli and although on the outskirts – Zaha Hadid has a wonderful high-speed rail station there too!
What elements do you feel are important in architecture/design?
For me, architecture is a response. A response to a brief, a budget, the site, the environment, the user, the surrounding context – then – a space (or collection of spaces) beyond being fit for purpose and ticking off the fore-mentioned things, needs to have feeling, emotion, heighten the senses, and the ability to enrich people’s lives.
Okay, let’s wrap it up with some quick-fire, stereotypical, architect Q’s
Skivvy, Jacket or Jumper? Jumper for comfort jacket for style.
T-shirt or Collared Shirt? Prefer a T these days
Boots or Sneakers? These boots were made for walking….
Glasses or Contacts? I’d poke my eye out trying to get contacts in – glasses all the way.
Citroen or Peugeot? Can I leave this blank? – Abarth
Jeans or Chinos? Don’t hipsters wear chinos? Real denim jeans only.
