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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

: I tried to recall the model of the Torre Saracena, a crucial architectural identity typical of my territory, Apulia: innovation and tradition that co-exist.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

: I wanted to propose an architectural model in harmony with the environment and the historical/social reality.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

: To make it become a model, a pattern that might be proposed to other brands/clients.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

: About two months, but the insights and the initial ideas had a one year development.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

: “I'M WHERE I LIVE” was born to fulfill personal and business needs. I created the headquarters of my activities and at the same time something that shows my professional identity.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

: The pilot project is already made thanks to the collaboration of many international partners; now we are working at the promotion and application of the concept to potential customers.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

: The first need for me was to create a space that fit my personality.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

: Fabio Novembre, Yona Friedman and Zaha Hadid. The architect and designer Fabio Novembre is a fellow countryman from Puglia, that’s why we have a natural feeling. I like his ability to mix elements, materials and shapes. I was lucky to work with Yona Friedman at the Mart in Rovereto: I was struck by his idea of architecture and design as participation and active involvement of the public.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

: Mainly the industry of architecture and furnishing, but also interior designers and designers. With public and private corporations, mainly museums, I study different applications for the web and communication.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

: A high quality interior design, a better level of refinement that you usually can’t find in a workplace.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

: “I'M WHERE I LIVE” was born after a brainstorming with Marina Carrara, director of the Mondadori magazine “CasaViva”. From her perspective, the semiotics behind this project is connected both with my personality, reflected in its lifestyle and residential architecture, and with my identity, my relationship with the territory where I live, tied to a deep sense of belonging.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

: In the first step I used several photographs portraying typical architectures from Salento, Puglia. Then pencil and marker drawings, freehand and digital renders to come up with the well-structured final project.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

: The four sloping sides of the building, that hide behind the walls a natural indoor air system.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

: The "SEGNOPROGETTO" team, our partner, contributed to the design/ rendering. We also were supported by the technical staff of some brand suppliers such as KERAKOLL GREEN COMPANY, CASALI, CORDIVARI E FEG, ELICA DESIGN CENTER, PIMAR ITALIAN LIMESTONE. It was crucial the technical contribution of the company "GIANCARLO SPANO CONSTRUCTION", led by my twin brother.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

: The technology was crucial to manage both the domotics of the building and the development of different projects inside my home.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

: I have only put in action my knowledge and the one of my team, although we considered as a reference the ancient construction techniques.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

: The design of the ventilated side and of the interiors, the spatial dialogue between function and appearance. Moreover, it hasn’t been easy to find the right spot where to build the “TORRE SARACENA”.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

: I find discussion and participation very exciting: to receive judgments and opinions coming from a multidisciplinary panel is a source of knowledge and professional growth.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

: I have improved both the work planning and the budgeting.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

: I think that a good design is mostly the result of a tight-knit and capable team work. The desire to get in the game, experiencing your own fondness, should always be the “incentive to do”.