Whitespace Architects have been Shortlisted for Residential Architectural Property Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards. Read more about Co-Founders & Managing Directors Francesco Anzolin and Yasser Abuelnasr below:

Name: Yasser Abuelnasr (Pictured Top) and Francesco Anzolin (Pictured Below)
Company: Whitespace Architects
Position within company: Co-Founders/Managing Directors
Website: www.whitespace.ae

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Francesco: I studied art and architecture in Italy, obtaining a Master’s degree in 1992 from the Federico II University of Naples. I collaborated with the University for two years as a researcher in the History of Architecture (Prof. Gaetana Cantone) and Planning (Prof. Marcello Angrisani) courses. After various experiences in the field of conservation, I had the honour of following two prestigious interventions for the Jubilee 2000:
– Restoration of the Trevi Fountain
– Restoration of the Cathedral of Sessa Aurunca

After a few months in Denmark for a Master, I collaborated with the arch. Massimiliano Fuksas for the Ferrari, Nardini and Etnapolis projects. In 2007 as an independent, I participated in several competitions in collaboration with Arup, winning one and achieving several Mentions. In 2008 I started a collaboration with Prof. Naga in the United Arab Emirates, where I founded Whitespace Architects in 2011.
Yasser: I studied in Alexandria and have 18 years’ experience in different design aspects between UAE, Egypt and USA.

How would you describe your personal design style?
Francesco: Having a school education in the field of artistic studies especially culpture, I always tend to amass the vision of the projects by imposing the form first.
Yasser: Minimum design with sophisticated details.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Francesco: From the imagination above all, when I walk down the street I always think ‘what I would like to see in that corner, in that street that could excite me.’
Yasser: Nature, contacts and culture.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Francesco: I’m sorry to say this, but unfortunately today the design goes in the direction of the software, the designer is driven by the functions of the program he uses which influences the lines and shapes. We should rediscover physical models and work without letting the software tell/guide us.
Yasser: Its improving given the new materials and technology.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Francesco and Yasser: Contemporaneity, ecology, durability, sustainability, beauty.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Francesco: Orient in accordance with the environment that surrounds and maintains simplicity.
Yasser: Reading through the culture and understand the functionality of the building.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Francesco and Yasser: Extremely important in recognising global talent. If it comes, welcome!

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Francesco: The project that most marked me was the Trevi Fountain restauration in Rome. Despite my position as director, I had to study how to intervene (on a monument considered one of the most important in the world) and was under observation of experts eyes ready to shoot me. This caused me a lot of adrenaline and excitement. Fortunately, everything went very well.
Yasser: My favourite project was Masdar City in Abu Dhabi as it was an interesting mix between urban design and architecture with integrated sustainability.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Francesco: I remember the project of the Nardini bubbles with Fuksas. I went to Bassano del Grappa to present it to the client and the authority.
The project was something unusual as it was suspended glass bubbles, something that you don’t see every day. Luckily everything went well, and I was proud to communicate to Massimiliano Fuksas that we had the permission to build it.
Yasser: Usually private villas are really challenging as it goes with the client taste and requirements so to get an interesting project you have to go through lots of challenges to maintain the client needs and expectations.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Francesco: The interdisciplinarity between the parties working on a project is now something indispensable; you cannot do everything by yourself.
Yasser: Software.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Francesco:As we are going to reorganize the office (as a result of many new projects being awarded at the same time), the biggest goal is to complete the reorganization of it with a lot of new technology and professionalism, so that everything can work like a Swiss watch.
Yasser: To continue improving the business and enhancing the design process.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
Francesco: For sure my family
Yasser: Family

Your favourite holiday destination?
Francesco: It is never the same
Yasser: Spain

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Francesco: Just relaxation
Yasser: At the beach when not at work

Whitespace Architects, shortlisted in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.

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