In the captivating world of architecture and interior design, creative approach can transform anonymous spaces into living works of art. We had the opportunity to meet Carla Gammarota, a prominent architect and interior designer from Studio Tecnico Gammarota. With over six decades of experience and a broad vision of innovation, the Gammarota studio takes us through a project that brought life to a once-insignificant square. In an interview with Giorgio Tartaro, Carla Gammarota reveals how art, creativity, and collaboration contributed to transforming a square in Foggia.
I'm an architect and interior designer and I work at GammaRota studio, founded over 60 years ago by my father. About 25 years ago, my brother and I joined, and we've been on this journey. We mainly deal with town planning, such as residential construction in Foggia and the province. That's our area of operation.
I'd like to share the wonderful experience of a project that began when we were assigned to design a residential and commercial building in Ugo Foscolo Square, in Foggia. It's a somewhat insignificant square, quite large, surrounded by a series of residential buildings, from the '30s and '60s, and even a building from the '90s. So, on this square that lacks a character, a well-defined identity, with this project that I had the opportunity to design, I wanted right from the beginning to give it a distinct identity, a character.
Apart from the project itself, which didn't remain just a building project, I thought of using art as a tool to requalify and almost change the entire context of the square. On the facade, I thought of creating a kind of giant niche, over 12 meters high and a couple deep, inside of which we could place a sculpture, an installation, in short, a work of art that would enhance not so much the building, but would have repercussions on the actual use of the space.
The people of Foggia do not currently use the square, it does not represent a meeting place. So, for me, this project represented an opportunity to transform how people experience their surroundings. I created a contest on my social media pages, inviting all artists to participate with their projects or ideas that we would then select. The fundamental goal was to involve people from outside the area and, in this way, bring in a different perspective. The artists with their way of seeing art and living life became one with this project.
Certainly, greenery isn't just a tool in a square, it's almost a strategic element. For example, greenery, in the sense of vertical walls and similar items, I have already introduced in upcoming projects that are already in the pipeline.
Regarding greenery, we turn to experts in this field, specific companies that provide and assist in design and supply.
I like a bit of everything: working with natural, new, and high-performing materials, definitely. I find satisfaction in experimenting, so I always look to the future. You have to keep up to date to keep up with the times. It is necessary in my work.
Keeping up-to-date and creative. I get bored doing the same things over and over again. The adrenaline in my work comes from new things, like new challenges, ideas and projects. So I would put creativity at the base. Keep up to date while having fun, but most importantly work while having fun.
Through Carla Gammarota's inspiring narrative, the extraordinary ability of architecture to transform insignificant spaces into realms of artistic renewal comes to light. Using art and creativity as primary design tools, Studio Tecnico Gammarota has demonstrated how a square without identity can become an oasis of artistic expression. The project represents a vibrant example of how innovation can alter the urban fabric and engage communities through collaboration and shared vision.
Interview conducted by Giorgio Tartaro
