Antonio Ventimiglia, S20M

Ciao, Antonio. Come stai?

S20M is obsessed with innovation. Since 2012, Antonio Ventimiglia and his team of designers and 3D artists have pushed the boundaries of architecture and interiors, retail environments, corporate identities, and beyond. We caught up with Ventimiglia to chat through what drives his practice, exported from Milan to New York City in 2020, and what’s ahead on the cutting edge.

We hear you’re extensively invested in 3D modeling technologies. How have innovations on this front disrupted the game for you and for your clients? Have better renderings helped you better sell clients on original ideas?

3D visualization is a core part of our DNA at s20m, and we continue to push the boundaries of the industry by using the latest software. The latest 3D modeling technologies have disrupted the game for us and our clients in many ways. Firstly, these tools have allowed us to create highly realistic and detailed renderings that accurately represent our original ideas and designs. This has helped us to better communicate our vision to clients and stakeholders and has made it easier to sell them on our concepts. Moreover, the use of 3D modeling technologies has also helped us to streamline the design and construction process, by allowing us to identify potential issues and conflicts early on and address them before they become major problems. This has resulted in faster project timelines and reduced costs, which ultimately benefits our clients.

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Ciao. I’m very pleased to talk about our work, and proud to reveal details about the interesting projects we’re involved in here in the U.S.

You recently collaborated with RYBAK on ARLOPARC, the downright elegant 20-floor residential project on East 86th between Park and Lexington. What sparked the vision to create an ornate, European style building on this site in the 21st century?

“We’ve been able to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to each new challenge.”

The duplex penthouse at ARLOPARC features this massive rooftop terrace.

The interior of ARLOPARC's penthouse features unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline.

The city’s prewar streetscape was well defined by Italianate apartment houses by architects like Emery Roth and Rosario Candela, the latter of whom was of course also from Italy. Did that legacy play a role in inspiring ARLOPARC? If so, how does it bring continuity while remaining state-of-the-art?

It played a key role, especially given the influence of Italian architects on the project. By drawing on architectural tradition, the building can bring a sense of continuity to the streetscape while also incorporating state-of-the-art design features and amenities in a way that establishes ARLOPARC as a landmark in its own right.

By working on a variety of projects across different sectors, we’ve been able to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to each new challenge. Our retail projects for fashion clients, such as Benetton and Tod’s, share the same vision based on Italian culture and heritage that’s implemented in connection with the brand's own identity and specific local store features. This means that there’s a sort of matching of ideas that allows us to decline concepts and design across different industries starting from a common element. We look at this challenge as a great opportunity to experience multilateral creative processes.

ARLOPARC's ornate exterior stands out in the skyline.

Beyond residential work, you’ve done some stunning retail interiors. How has working across different sectors and disciplines fostered cross-pollination in your portfolio? What challenges do you face pitching ideas from one industry to a client in another?

Our intention was to pay homage to the history and architecture of the surrounding neighborhood. By incorporating elements of the local architectural style, the building can blend in seamlessly with the buildings surrounding it. This approach also helps to create a sense of connection between the past and present and contribute to the preservation of the neighborhood's cultural heritage.

Tell us a bit about your practice and what’s on your plate these days. How does the work you’re doing in New York differ from your pipeline in the Milan office?

S20M is a multidisciplinary design studio with an immersive approach across architecture, landscape, interior, and furniture design. Our Milan studio primarily handles projects in Singapore, Dubai, and more recently Nigeria, in addition to local projects in Italy. The New York office, established in 2020, is focused on projects for developers in Manhattan, as well as private residences in Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and the Hamptons. Nevertheless, we are constantly open to face new challenges by implementing our design range worldwide.

S20M's design for Benetton's striking Milan showroom.

DIGITAL IMAGES COURTESY OF S20M

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