Andrew Trotter is an English designer who lives between Spain and Italy. During his life he visited many places and worked with a lot of different people. He studied interior design in Australia and then returned to the UK to work in the field of design and architecture. But his curiosity and desire for new experiences were enormous, so he decided to work in the fashion field with Yohji Yamamoto and other stylists. Among the many things he did, he founded Openhouse magazine with Mari Luz Vidal. Masseria Moroseta built in Puglia is his first piece of architecture. In Andrew Trotter’s architecture, different experiences and knowledge have come together to create very simple and elegant buildings, respectful of the context and traditions of territory.
1. Your company is Spanish but some of your most important works are built in Italy. What is it like to work in Italy?
At the moment we are based in Barcelona but I don’t see ourselves as a Spanish company. As I’m English and we are working all over the world I see us a European company. We love working in Italy. Sometimes it can be frustrating, as the Mediterranean way of life can be quite slow, but we always enjoy ourselves with the projects and the people we work with. Italians are fine craftsman, and can do amazing things, but other things like beautiful thin metal framed windows are hard to come by. Sometimes there are too many rules.
2. What kind of relationship do you have with the context?
I’ve been travelling to Italy for the last twenty years, I have many friends there and always feel at home.
3. Do you have recurring goals during design?
Simplicity, and being true to the area we are building. We always want that we design for the location. A house shouldn’t stand out in it’s context.
4. What kind of relationship do you have with the client during the designing process?
Usually our clients become good friends. Actually we choose who we want to work with for the feeling they give us. It is important that you have a great relationship with you clients as it is a marriage for at least 2-3 years. We design for our clients to enjoy, not to show off. We need to know a lot about our clients and they loves and their habits.
5. Do you have any materials or colors you prefer?
White is not a colour, but we use it most of the time, mainly in the form of natural lime paint. Other colours we often use are neutrals, stone colours and earthy reds. We love natural stones, and solid woods. Everything to be as pure and raw as possible.
6. When I look at your works I feel a feeling of peace and harmony, it would seem that time slows down. Could it be a correct interpretation?
You have hit the nail on the head. We design so that everyone who uses our buildings feel at home. They feel comfortable and relaxed. We want that people can switch off and enjoy doing nothing.
