INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

A seamless fusion of Italian and Danish styles defines the work of Gamfratesi—one of the world’s most sought-after design studios

For Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi, design is always a meeting of minds. Partners in life and in work, the two architects have undertaken a wide range of projects since establishing their eponymous studio in 2006. At this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan alone, they launched the Kite chair for Porro (pictured below), designed the Louis Poulsen booth, worked on the window display for the Hermès boutique on Via Montenapoleone and participated in an installation by Elle Decor Italia. Over coffee at Porro’s flagship store in Milan’s Durini district, we speak about their shared point of view and how this manifests itself in their designs.

How would you describe your work as a design duo?

Our studio is based in Copenhagen, so we’re influenced by the Scandinavian way of living. But design-wise, we’re not purists. What’s good is that we have the ability to be quite naturally international. Italian design can be too formal sometimes, while Scandinavian design can be too minimalist. The cross-cultural aspects benefit the company and allow us to have an open mind.

Walk us through your creative process.

While we’re both architects, furniture has always been the connection between us. The first step is always a long conversation, where our imagination just flows. We then translate this into hand-drawn sketches. Essentially, we don’t know who did this line or that detail. Then we proceed to the computer drawing and modelling, which is the methodical stage. Prototyping is an important phase for us. We like working with our hands because it’s a chance to learn in a very intense manner. It also helps us create the visual impression we want. During this phase, we try to identify potential problems before they surface during the production phase. Sometimes, a problem can turn out to be a good thing, though, and evolve to become a defining element in the design.

How did the journey with Porro begin?

We started working with Porro in 2014; we designed a box for its 90th anniversary, and then developed a chair and day bed later on. It’s not only about the products, but also about the collaboration process—especially for a studio as small as ours, where we are personally invested in each endeavour.

Tell us about the Kite chair.

We wanted to create something informal and we had this idea of having a pillow that’s squeezed onto a frame—sort of like a piece that embraces you. This is a new exploration for Porro, as well as a chance for us to introduce softer elements. Textile and upholstery is something we’re really interested in, and we believe every home should have that touch of softness.