Azul Gawianski and Manuela Ihan: “We think of architecture as an exchange”

Stepping into the world of architecture: the minds behind the design of our showroom

At Iskin Sisters we believe every space has a story to tell. Behind the design of our Olivos showroom are two architects, Azul Gawianski and Manuela Ihan. They did not only shape a showroom, but a place where our pieces come to life.

In this conversation they talk about the role of architecture in our lives, what inspires them, and how they relate to art — and about how architecture and art come together to make a space particular.

How do you see the role of architecture in society and in people’s everyday lives?

We like to think of architecture as the materialisation of human dwelling — it sets the stage for different personalities. It can both induce activity and adapt to a range of needs, and that appeals to us a great deal. The environment in which a life unfolds is no small thing.

What dreams do you still want to fulfil?

From the moment we began engaging with this profession consciously, we understood that our role in society was to rethink what was taken for granted. We are interested in the idea of making city. That is why we see the value certain projects hold when they are approached almost as “acupuncture” in particular areas — and how they can revitalise or transform them. We dream of our projects working towards that.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

We both try to live holistically, aligning the profession with pastimes that feed us creatively: spending time in places that inspire us, taking courses and workshops in very different fields, surrounding ourselves with people we admire, and travelling. We even joke that going to parties and travelling is part of the job. We spend a lot of time together, at work and outside it.

How do you connect with art?

Art has always run through both of us, from very different and complementary places. Manu is always looking for what’s new, goes to exhibitions and travels deliberately in search of it. Azul is an art director, and likes to study art both theoretically — art history — and practically, through composition and technique.

What inspires you when you design, and how does it shape the work?

We understand architecture as a large experiment. In every project we take the chance to use some material in an unconventional way, to give it a new meaning and arrive at something we haven’t seen before. That is why our source of inspiration is often the material itself.

What is your creative process like, and what does each of you bring to it?

Once we understand the person who is going to live in what we make, we focus on the atmosphere we want to convey. We build a mood board out of the elements that create it, and then work out its essence: what texture stands for it? What colours should we use? How should the person interact with it? What would heighten it? Within the team, Manuela usually proposes the possible atmospheres and Azul looks for their translation into space — but there is a continuous exchange of roles, and we think that back and forth makes projects much richer.

Is there a criterion that leads the creative moment?

We understand architecture as an exchange: you lend the space your emotions and associations, and the space gives you back an experience. That is why, when we design, we put the attention on the person — we like to make an architecture that allows for that exchange, through elements that engage the senses.

How does colour work in your projects?

We design holistically, so that every sense is represented. Form, space, light, texture and colour are in continuous balance. Colour is one more compositional element that has to be balanced against the rest for the visual structure to hold — but it also plays a fundamental role, because it carries a great deal of the atmosphere.

We hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did. Our thanks to Azul and Manuela for their time and their perspective, and we look forward to going on exploring the places where architecture and art meet.