Whether nestled at home, soaking up sunshine by the sea, or adventuring in faraway lands, summer offers an occasion to indulge in the long-awaited pleasure of reading. We must carefully select the books we wish to accompany us on our holidays, or risk wasting a precious opportunity for inspiration and enlightenment that only comes round once a year. To help you make the right choice of companion this summer, we asked four professionals from leading interior design and architecture studios to recommend their top reads.
Tessa Muga
Co-founder & Creative Director at Somos Nido
Somos Nido is an architecture and interior design studio dedicated to creating warm and cosy atmospheres. Tessa Muga and Román Maciá founded the studio after seven years in real estate, inspired by Tessa’s personal experience of the importance of having a space to feel at home, wherever you are.
‘Atmospheres’ by Peter Zumthor is a book that invites you to question and explore the essence of spaces, to humanise architecture. Zumthor guides you through his creative process, revealing how materials, forms and light combine to create environments that evoke feelings and memories. He manages to convey the sensitivity and care he puts into every detail, always looking for the emotional connection between the space and its inhabitants.
“I like his Wabi Sabi. It celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the inevitable and the unpretentious. This perspective always helps me to find beauty in the simplicity and authenticity of things.”
Michele Barberio
Founder and Designer at XYZ FACTORY
XYZ FACTORY is an established architecture and design studio based in Matera, Italy. Since 2010, founder Michele Barberio’s professional activity included the production of limited edition furniture, accessories and eco-sustainable objects. From 2021, his work expanded to hospitality, territorial promotion and experiential tourism with the opening of Casa MATERIA, in the ancient Sassi district, a multifaceted project synthesising design, architecture and art.
‘Philosophy of the home: Domestic space and happiness’ by Emanuele Coccia is a stimulating and meaningful read on one of the central themes of human existence: the home. For those who every day design the house where someone else will live, it is essential to reflect on the profound meaning of a place that is the only place where we truly live in the world. This is not a simple practical necessity; the house is much more, it is a moral and psychic event even before an architectural artefact. The house is our second skin in which we wrap ourselves, in a daily work of mutual domestication between ourselves, those close to us and things.
“Homes are spatial formulas for experiencing love, in all its expressions.”
‘The suitcase without a handle: Art, design and karaoke’ by Enzo Mari and Francesca Alfano Miglietti is a long and passionate conversation between the two authors. With his proverbial clarity and the severity of a master, Mari expresses his disappointment towards a world of design which, in some cases, is reduced to an imitation of forms and the empty parody of gestures that are anything but creative.
“A useful conceptual map for those who have to approach the design of new objects every day, with the ambition of combining their functionality with their beauty, without neglecting the efficiency of the process industrialist who presides over their creation.”
Kakadu is a strategic consulting agency specialising in property development and workplace design, whereas Silvana focuses on interior architecture in living and leisure environments. Kaitala and her team solve customer’s spatial problems, building an inspirational relationship from the start of each project in order to develop the essential ingredient to success: trust.
‘Maximum Achievement’ by Brian Tracy contains several models of goal-oriented thinking, which are undoubtedly useful in our profession and in life in general. Although most people have dreams and goals for their future, few make plans to achieve those goals.
“Every year I keep returning to Brian Tracy’s Maximum Achievement.”
Kaitala also recommends ‘Tadao Ando: Living with Light’ by Philip Jodidio thanks to her great passion for Tadao Ando´s minimalistic and unpredictable architecture.
“The impact of the entire spatial experience culminates in Ando’s architecture – simplicity’s unique beauty and thus a strong physical experience.”
Monica Durou
Co-founder & Interior Designer at C’est Ici
Monica Durou is a Colombian entrepreneur who’s unique philosophy embraces imperfect beauty and the mixing of unexpected, opposing, offbeat elements to create thoughtful designs. She is the driving force behind C’est Ici Design’s visual identity and plays a critical role in shaping how audiences perceive the brand, combining her artistic vision with strategic thinking to deliver compelling creative solutions.
‘The Architecture of Happiness’ by Alain de Botton argues that architecture significantly impacts our happiness and that beautifully designed spaces can enhance our lives. The book delves into historical and contemporary architectural examples, examining what makes certain buildings and spaces pleasing to the eye and soul. He also reflects on the philosophical and psychological aspects of architecture, considering how our surroundings reflect and influence our identities and aspirations.
“A thought-provoking meditation on the importance of thoughtful design and the ways in which architecture shapes our experiences and emotions.”
‘The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details’ by Christiane Lemieux focuses on the details that make a space luxurious, from high-quality materials to carefully chosen accessories. This book is a comprehensive guide to high-quality interior design that emphasises the importance of craftsmanship, materials, and attention to detail. A key theme is the concept of timeless design. Lemieux discusses how to select pieces and styles that will remain relevant and beautiful over time, avoiding trends that may quickly become outdated.
