ArtStreets: A new design concept of home and art
A new design concept makes its international debut dazzling the real estate world with possibilities.
ArtStreets, an innovative design concept which can be implemented in a single property, planned community, or public space/municipal project, harmoniously blends contemporary architecture with art and state-of-the-art technology.
The brainchild of SwissItalian architect Iris Fabbri, a Sotheby’s Auction House director, the ArtStreets concept creates homes, communities and public developments that celebrate and share art. The ultra contemporary designs feature glass-enclosed facades that are basically public art galleries. Strolling a neighborhood would be as enlightening as visiting a prestigious art museum.
Fabbri, who was in Palo Alto for the recent unveiling of ArtStreets, says she was “inspired by the Bay Area because it has all the elements: technology, wealth and a pioneering approach. People here are open to new ideas,” she adds.
Growing up in a family of art collectors, Fabbri says she is very passionate about this project that took three years to create with her team of a half dozen architects at her firm in Lugano, the Italian speaking region of Switzerland where she serves clients from all over the world.
According to Fabbri, ArtStreets originated out of the desire “to express a new lifestyle concept based on sharing of art and design.”
“Art is a tool for expressing our individuality, for personalizing our space and for establishing a virtuous dialog with others through representation of ourselves,” says Fabbri. Elements such as climbing gardens, waterfalls, and everchanging projected images are just a few ideas.
The goal is to bring “the seeds of art and design to these new places, creating a special atmosphere that invites people to stroll through these spaces day and night.”
Art will be injected into the planning of infrastructure to add value to the street. Art becomes that element that joins public and privates spaces, “a change of state between the home and the street, between the commercial centers and open space, and it affects everything about the way we design and conceive spaces with the aim of surrounding ourselves with beautiful, welldesigned things,” writes Fabbri, in the bilingual Italian/English architecture and design arts magazine “Area”.
The design responds to an intent that people who collect art live their lives surrounded by the beauty of art,” says Richard Williamson of Today Sotheby’s International Realty. The architecture is more than creating a place to occupy. The architecture becomes a living museum.
Up until now, most private art collections can only be enjoyed at museums. ArtStreets is a way “to share in the enjoyment and appreciation of art” within the transition between private and public space.
“Art is no longer just about museums and wealthy homes. It is increasingly becoming an aesthetic standard we expect and even crave,” says Fabbri.
The design concept lends itself to municipal applications as well. ArtStreets “creates an experience and magnetizes the area bringing a vitality to it (the downtown),” he adds. The “apparent absence of boundaries” in the design element creates community around the celebration of art and architecture.
The ArtStreets concept is also a full-service concept. From the property development, architectural design, technology and furnishings to fine art. It’s a turnkey operation.
“We recognize that this design will attract people who want to be a part of its creation and those who want it but don’t know where to start,” says Fabbri. “People can say ‘this is the outcome, what we want,” and we can accomplish that for them.”