Monthly Archives: July 2017

Petra Zakrajšek Ceo of Gao Architect “Each new project is a challenge, leading me to create a striking image using furniture, colour, texture and materials, with new concepts of space and light”

Welcome to our web site rubric that usually hosts architects and opinion leader of Habitat & Design.

What does it mean to be entrepreneurs in Lubjana and what the differences with doing business in Italy.

Being entrepeneurs in Ljubljana means that you have to work your way up and build your brand slowly,taking care of all aspects of your small business and the most important part of course, is the satisfaction of the clients. Thats makes you grow and it is a base. At least it was for my company. The added value is a modern aproach to marketing. That, in my case, is very personal.

I would imagine the difference between Slovenia and Italy is that Italy has a much bigger and more developed market ,with a long and rich history of interior design. In Slovenia,we are still learning……

From its observatory how do you see the future of Design?

I think that design will again become much warmer and cozy ,involving all of the human senses. Especially, the home will become a place  where people feel safe and beautiful. On the other hand, industrial design will still continue to be less personal , so the gap between theese two aspects will grow.

What should an entrepreneur do today to be competitive in the Habitat & Design industry?

You have to learn and inform yourself every single day. Not just in the field of design, because this is too narrow, you have to be curious about everything in life, especially art. Art is a reflection of our current society.

At the last salon in Mobile in Milan we noticed a revival of the industry with a fundamental passage in the design area towards the Materico leaving behind a minimalism that has run out. What do you think?

I am impressed and happy about it. It is a sign of art coming back to nature and also the human kind understanding that relations between people are the biggest treasure of ours and that there is no room for minimalism. For me personally, interior design is like a river of life.

Which projects are you currently devoting to?

We just finished with designing show flats for a big Slovenian developer Prva hiša , we are slowly finishing with implementation works for two Penthouses in Situla and doing three different refurbishments of private houses and a duplex flat.

Talking about the future, what role does digital communication play in the design world today?

It is a big role, but I don’t think interior design can ever be totally replaced by digital communication, because it is still a lot about feelings and a personal approach to the clients . I think that personal charisma and determination of an interior designer, are both so important throughout the whole  process of designing, construction and furnishing. It is our mission, and in the end, the only possible way, that both ,the client and the interior designer are happy with the end results.

The last question is about the future of young entrepreneurs. What are your thoughts on this?

My biggest wish is to design interior abroad. To expand my work in Europe and learn from people with different mentalities and cultures. It is a creative process and I am learning so much from my clients. I want to  expand my horizons  internationally.