Officina Abitare

Officina Abitare is an architecture studio founded in 2012 in Florence by Sara Bartolini and Matteo Pierattini. The studio's work is guided by research on the quality of living spaces. The design of architectural spaces and volumes, the use of natural light, and the choice of materials are oriented towards creating welcoming environments characterized by simplicity and order. Officina Abitare's architecture is inspired by the Tuscan landscape and its colors, with which it constantly interacts. In addition to studying building and living traditions, the studio conducts research on the use of natural and sustainable materials, employed for both interior finishes and overall building renovations, reinterpreting traditional construction techniques, material use, and finishes in a contemporary way. The approach to renovation is linked to the concept of retrofitting, focusing on rethinking existing buildings by reworking elements to meet the contemporary needs of clients. In the realm of new constructions, the studio specializes in Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) using natural materials combined with wood or steel structures. Their interest in sustainable materials such as lime, hemp, raw earth, crushed brick, straw, and wood has increasingly shifted towards designing the architectural envelope. Sustainability and energy efficiency in their architecture are tied to the use of proven effective insulation materials that align well with Mediterranean architecture and historic buildings. Officina Abitare prioritizes building performance over system performance, ensuring clients have healthy and comfortable buildings that require no more maintenance or attention than a "traditional" building.