Luxe life

Renowned Italian architect and designer Marco Piva has created a contemporary interior masterpiece in Albania.

- Joanne Molina

With an oeuvre of award-winning projects in his CV, Milan-based architect and designer Marco Piva journeyed to the green hills south-east of Tirana to curate the interiors of a contemporary villa with local architects EGO Architecture di Egest Goxhaj & Partners. The result is a residence that speaks the timeless language of ‘Made in Italy’ design, as well as the lingua franca of Albania’s lush surrounds.

Beloved by international clients and colleagues, the Head Juror of the identity Design Awards has spent a lifetime earning accolades for product design, hospitality projects and dramatic architectural projects. His secret? His obsession with details, quality and a commitment to his client, whether working on a luxurious 5-star hotel such as Milan’s Hotel Excelsior Gallia, an international luxury brand such as Moroso, Gervasoni, Poliform, Colombo or iGuzzini – or for a family in Albania.

“Our main goal was to create a house designed for family intimacy. In fact, the clients are a couple with three little children who do not often receive people at home because they prefer to keep their social life outside,” says Piva. “To achieve this, we aimed to create cosy, pleasant, partly spectacular, and yet aesthetically modern spaces designed for the daily experiences of people who live here.”

Given Piva’s renowned style and affinity for sensing the needs of his clients, the villa owners trusted him infinitely. “We were thrilled. It meant the world to us that they absolutely trusted our choices. We really felt we had a trust-based relationship that professional designers often lack these days.” Everyone was happy because it meant everyone’s voice was heard and respected,” he says.