In this interview, we delve into the world of green design through the story of Chiara Ottella, co-founder of Lineeverdi along with colleague Stefania Naro. Lineeverdi stands out for its technical and plant-centered approach in green area design. With extensive experience in the field of agronomy, Chiara introduces us to projects that are particularly dear to the studio, including the work done for Zoom Torino, Italy's first immersive Biopark. Through her experience, she reveals the growing importance that greenery has taken on in contemporary design, becoming not only a decorative element but a fundamental structural component. Finally, she reveals the keyword guiding their work during this period: "resilience," a concept that refers to the adaptability of plants and becomes crucial even in the post-pandemic context.
My colleague, friend, and I, Stefania Naro, specialize in green design, in green areas. We are agronomists, so our perspective is more technical compared to that of architects; we put the plant at the center of our work. We are often called by other firms to collaborate on greener projects, but our approach is always linked to the plant, trying to make the plants thrive and make the project sustainable over time.
A project that is very close to our hearts is Zoom Torino, Italy's first immersive Biopark. We have been consultants for this company since 2010. Every year, new habitats are transformed and designed. We have to consider the plants, the client, and above all the animals, which are often herbivores and tend to eat the plants. Another interesting project is with Elitech, a molecular diagnostics company, where we have incorporated a significant amount of greenery into office spaces.
In recent years, the way of designing through greenery has changed. We have moved from seeing greenery as decoration to a structural element of the project. We have more and more firms contacting us, and we have noticed an increase in interest in greenery after COVID.
The key word is "resilience." It is a term that has been widely used post-pandemic, but it actually refers to the ability to adapt, a fundamental characteristic of plants. Plants have to adapt to their environment because they cannot move, and even if they argue among themselves, as in the case of beech which is very aggressive, they have to find a way to coexist.