How Architects Live: 8 Interiors That Will Inspire You

Agree that it's always interesting to take a quick peek at how people who gave the world incredible modern architectural masterpieces live. We decided to «drop by» at 7 globally recognized, acclaimed masters and see how their daily lives are organized. Get ready to be amazed!

Massimiliano and Doriana Fucsas

Italian geniuses Massimiliano and Doriana Fucsas run their own international architectural studio with offices in Rome, Paris, and Shenzhen. Their portfolio includes numerous projects worldwide, including the Justice House in Tbilisi, which many compare to a «mushroom colony».

Massimiliano Fucsas. Photo: Carlo Gavazenni
Doriana Fucsas. Photo: Carlo Gavazenni
Where do architects live? In Paris, on the Vogez Square, in a rather minimalist but by no means ascetic setting. A huge fireplace, spacious lounge and guest area, unusual ceiling, and many empty shelves as a testament to the boundless potential of this space.

Sigéru Ban

Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Sigéru Ban creates projects from inexpensive recyclable materials: bamboo, fabric, paper, and plastic. Thanks to his numerous developments in quick-build and affordable housing, thousands of people who became victims of natural disasters have found temporary shelter.

Sigéru Ban
Where does the architect live? The home of Sigéru Ban reflects his concept of ecological architecture and its possibilities. The building is located in the suburbs of Tokyo, with the main task for the architect being to create a project that does not require destroying a single tree. The interior of the master's home, to put it mildly, is minimalist: few pieces of furniture, lots of light – and paintings of the surrounding nature as a generous bonus to such an ascetic setting.

Zaha Hadid

Irak-British architect and designer of Arab origin, the first woman in history to be awarded the Pritzker Prize. In March 2016, at age 65, Zaha Hadid passed away, leaving the world with breathtaking projects such as the National Museum of 21st Century Art in Rome, the Aquatic Sports Center in London (built for the 2012 Olympic Games), and the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku.

Where did the architect live? In an incredible interior! The London flat of Zaha Hadid was a direct reflection of her architectural ideas: one space, seamlessly flowing forms, avant-garde style.

David Chipperfield

British architect and founder of the architectural bureau David Chipperfield Architects. The creative works of David Chipperfield and his firm have received more than 100 architectural and design awards. Among the projects of his studio are the Museum of Rivers in Great Britain, the Museum of Modern Literature in Germany, the Saint Louis Art Museum in the USA, and many others.

Where does the architect live? The architect's own home was primarily designed for work: it is more of a studio. Nothing extra, simplicity and strictness in forms, concrete slabs, large windows, no personalization of the interior, with the focus being on architecture itself rather than living space.

Mario Belli

Projects of this globally renowned Italian architect are located in Europe, Japan, the USA, Australia, and the UAE. Mario Belli is a laureate of numerous prestigious architectural awards and author of lectures in well-known global cultural centers, previously the chief editor of the Domus magazine.

Where does the architect live? His own home, located in a 19th-century building, can boast of perhaps the most unexpected interior from our selection. The architect's love for history and urbanism found quite whimsical reflection in this setting. Colorful abstract frescoes, a nine-meter library-staircase, an impressive gray stone fireplace, art pieces, vintage furniture. It seems like you've stepped into a museum where the old mixes with modernity.

Marcio Kogan

Projects of the Brazilian architect, founder of the MK27 studio, and honorary member of the American Institute of Architects Marcio Kogan are located not only in his homeland but also in many countries around the world. Since 2001, his studio has received more than 200 Brazilian and international profile awards.

Where does the architect live? Marcio Kogan himself resides on the 12th floor of a residential building he designed himself in 1980. The apartment interior is quite whimsical, but there's no shortage of personalization. The center of the setting is a piano that partially serves as a coffee table. Almost all free wall space and numerous shelves are occupied by souvenirs, toys, keychains, and other mini-collections. Kogan claims that every little item in his home has its own special story, and he remembers all these stories perfectly.

Bijoy Jain

Bijoy Jain is the founder of the «Mumbai» studio. The company's projects are mainly residential objects with Indian specificity. Interestingly, together with the leader, about 60 specialists of the highest class work, all of whom live in one village with Bijoy, a family commune.

Where does the architect live? The house where Bijoy Jain resides is almost indistinguishable from the common understanding of a cozy, lived-in space. Moreover, it perfectly reflects the style in which the architect and his globally renowned company work.

The building is located 30 kilometers from the center of the bustling and densely populated Mumbai, in the Indian village of Alibag. The interior is not overloaded with details but also not lacking them, and traditional Indian motifs are clearly visible in the setting. Old tiles on the floor, a luxurious pool surrounded by century-old plants, colonial furniture, stained glass, natural materials, and live flowers – this space invites both rest and reflection, as well as work.