At Fublis, our “Design Dialogues” series is dedicated to showcasing the innovative minds and creative journeys of architects and designers who are making a significant impact in the industry. Through in-depth conversations, we celebrate their achievements and explore their unique perspectives, offering invaluable insights that inspire both peers and emerging talent.

In this edition, we are honored to feature ARW Associates, a firm known for its commitment to site-specific architecture and its deep engagement with historical and urban contexts. Over the years, ARW Associates has developed a design philosophy that blends contemporary innovation with a profound understanding of architectural archetypes, fostering a dialogue between past and present. Their work reflects a meticulous approach to urban regeneration, public space design, and sustainable adaptation of historical structures.

In this interview, ARW Associates discusses their design ethos and the transformative potential of architecture in shaping vibrant communities. From the cultural and urban impact of Teatro Borsoni to the sustainable retrofitting of industrial spaces like Testi 223, they provide a compelling look into their process, challenges, and aspirations. The conversation also delves into their latest project, Green Between, which reimagines an underutilized urban space into a thriving, community-oriented neighborhood.

Join us as we explore ARW Associates’ vision for architecture as a means of social and ecological engagement, and their aspiration to create spaces that enhance the way people live, work, and interact.

Your career in ARW Associates has spanned years of evolving design philosophies and technological advancements in architecture. Can you share what initially inspired you to pursue architecture and how your journey has shaped your firm’s vision?

ARW Associates: From the very beginning, we have conceived architecture as inherently “site-specific.” To us, the urban and landscape context serves as the foundation for every project. Understanding the essence of each place—its history, morphology, and intrinsic character—has always been at the core of our design approach. In recent years, our focus has increasingly shifted towards architectural archetypes and the ways in which a deep understanding of ancient architecture can inspire the creation of contemporary spaces. By studying timeless forms and spatial principles, we seek to craft designs that resonate with both the past and the present, fostering a meaningful dialogue between history and modernity.

Teatro Borsoni is positioned as a cultural catalyst within the broader “Oltre la Strada” urban regeneration project. Beyond its architectural significance, how do you envision the theatre reshaping the social fabric of the area, and what measures were taken to ensure its integration into the community?

ARW Associates: A key architectural theme for us is the design of public open spaces, and the Teatro Borsoni plays a central role in shaping two significant new urban squares.

To the west of the building, a square is defined by two striking aluminum heat system chimneys and a mirrored façade that encloses the space to the south, creating a distinctive urban backdrop. The second square opens onto Via Milano, where the expansive entrance loggia extends the stone-paved plaza, inviting engagement with the city. These spaces serve as dynamic settings for informal gatherings, performances, and cultural activities, fostering social interaction beyond the theatre itself.

Moreover, CTB, the local theatre institution, curates a diverse range of cultural events beyond traditional music and drama performances. This ensures that the theatre functions as a true cross-cultural hub, actively engaging with the community and strengthening its role as a catalyst for urban and social regeneration.

Designing a theatre involves complex acoustic, spatial, and experiential considerations. How did you balance technical requirements—such as acoustics, lighting, and stage mechanics—with the desire to create an engaging and welcoming environment for performers and audiences alike?

ARW Associates: The theatre’s acoustic design was meticulously studied, leading to the integration of wooden blades with varying depths along the hall’s walls and ceiling panels with variable slopes. These elements enhance both sound diffusion and spatial quality, ensuring an optimal experience for both performers and audiences.

A key technical feature is the silent air heating and cooling system, with diffusers discreetly placed beneath the seats to maintain comfort without disrupting the performance environment.
Additionally, the 19-meter-high scenic tower houses all the theatre’s stage machinery while also serving as a distinctive urban landmark. Its dimmable lighting system, capable of changing colors, further enhances its presence in the cityscape, reinforcing the theatre’s role as a dynamic cultural beacon.

Teatro Borsoni extends beyond performance halls, incorporating communal areas, a bar-foyer, and outdoor plazas. How did you approach the challenge of making this a truly open and inclusive space for diverse users, beyond just theatre-goers?

ARW Associates: The theatre has been designed as a social catalyst, a space where people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds can come together. Its distinctive character has significantly altered the perception of this once-abandoned industrial area, marking the beginning of a broader transformation process.

This regeneration is already taking shape, with new activities—such as bars, shops, and offices—emerging around the building. While this evolution is gradual, in a few years, the area will be completely redefined. This is the true challenge for the local council: fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic urban environment.

Every architecture firm has a unique ethos that defines its work. How would you describe your studio’s core philosophy, and how does it translate into your design approach?

ARW Associates: This is a crucial question, as it defines our approach to reality and our response to the dramatic conditions of the contemporary world.

At ARW, our goal is to create better places to live through architecture. We are deeply committed to addressing social and ecological challenges, transforming them into specific architectural responses. Our design approach focuses on sustainable settlements and vibrant public spaces, always grounded in a deep understanding of the unique characteristics of each context. By embracing these differences, we strive to create meaningful and resilient environments that enhance both community life and ecological balance.

Testi 223 involves revitalizing a 1950s Pirelli complex while introducing contemporary updates. How did you navigate the challenge of preserving the historical essence of the structure while ensuring it meets modern functional, energy, and aesthetic standards?

ARW Associates: The concept of the project synthesizes two distinct strategies, developed through a deep understanding of the site’s original character.

The complex was originally built in two parts: one as a school and the other as a factory, where young Pirelli student-workers were trained to operate machinery.

For the school building, we reinterpreted its architecture by introducing a red aluminum cladding that extends and elevates the original volume. This intervention gives the structure a renewed classical presence, while maintaining a strong connection to the industrial identity of the site.

For the factory, our approach focused on recovering the essence of the original space, which had been heavily altered over time. By replacing outdated elements and integrating modern systems, we transformed it into a sustainable office building, preserving its industrial spirit while ensuring functionality and energy efficiency.

Retrofitting an industrial space often comes with structural and environmental challenges. What were the most critical sustainability strategies integrated into Testi 223 to improve energy performance while maintaining its architectural integrity?

ARW Associates: Retrofitting a building goes beyond simply upgrading electrical and heating systems; it requires a meticulous transformation of every architectural component. At Testi 223, we undertook a comprehensive approach, adapting walls, roofs, window frames, floors, structural elements, and even open spaces to meet contemporary sustainability standards.

Each intervention followed specific protocols aimed at enhancing energy efficiency while carefully preserving the original character of the building. This delicate balance between modernization and heritage conservation was at the core of our strategy, ensuring that the structure remains both environmentally responsible and true to its industrial legacy.

Beyond the physical structures you create, architecture has a profound impact on human experience. How do you ensure that your designs enhance the way people live, work, and interact?

ARW Associates: Architecture shapes the very framework of our lives—it defines the homes we live in, the schools where we learn, the hospitals where we receive care, the theatres where we experience culture, and the stadiums where we gather for sports.

In our design approach, both functional and symbolic elements play a central role, as does a deep understanding of the surrounding context. However, the true quality of a space lies in our ability to bring these elements together harmoniously, creating meaningful relationships between the built environment and the social fabric it serves. By fostering these connections, we aim to design spaces that enhance the way people live, work, and interact.

Green Between aims to transform an underutilized parking lot into a vibrant, community-driven neighborhood. What were the key architectural and urban design strategies you employed to shift the perception of the area from marginality to a strong, identity-based urban hub?

ARW Associates: The core strategy was to foster a true sense of community. Unlike other nearby social housing projects, the ground floor is entirely open, free from fences, and designed to integrate shared spaces and communal functions.

Playgrounds, market squares, and gardens are seamlessly woven into a network of shops, coworking spaces, community rooms, and bike hubs, creating an active and inclusive urban environment.
The defining element of the project is the quality of its public spaces, which are directly connected to the existing Lambro Park. This connection forms the backbone of the “Green Rambla”, a central axis around which the residential buildings are organized, transforming the site from a marginal area into a vibrant, identity-driven urban hub.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of architecture, and what kind of legacy do you hope ARW Associates will leave behind?

ARW Associates: Architecture will continue to shape the spaces in which we live, perhaps increasingly influenced by new design tools such as artificial intelligence. However, as a reflection of society, it is unlikely to undergo radical transformations overnight.

What we hope to leave behind is a poetic vision—one that deeply engages with the essence of place, draws from archetypal forms, and reinterprets them in contemporary ways of living. Our commitment to material authenticity and spatial truth is at the core of our practice, and we aspire for these principles to become a lasting legacy for future generations of architects.