SEASON 5 EPISODE 04:

Rosanna Vitiello:
The places where we play, work and call home

This week on the SpaceCraft podcast, Dan Moscrop interviews Rosanna Vitiello from The Place Bureau, an innovative consultancy dedicated to reimagining architecture and workplace design through urban research, foresight, and cultural mapping.

In this insightful discussion, Rosanna shares The Place Bureau's unique approach to placemaking, which involves collaborating with various stakeholders to define and project the identity of places, often envisioning futures 30-50 years ahead. She provides insights into their groundbreaking projects, including collaborations with organizations like the Arts University in Bournemouth and initiatives in rural areas like Snæfellsnes, Iceland.

The conversation highlights the importance of understanding local cultures and narratives in their workspace design and branding efforts, whether working with Liverpool's maritime history or exploring the potential of coastal towns like the Isle of Wight. Rosanna underscores the evolving significance of public spaces, particularly in the post-COVID era, and how a global perspective guides The Place Bureau's approach.

Drawing from her experiences working in diverse environments like the U.S. and China, Rosanna emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding and local engagement in their projects worldwide. She attributes her ability to perceive the energy of a place to her upbringing in Naples, Italy, where she learned to observe and feel environments due to language barriers.

The discussion delves into the significance of collective thinking in placemaking, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and embracing diverse perspectives. Rosanna and Dan explore the evolving nature of workplaces, with an emphasis on the importance of the surrounding community and the role of office spaces within broader urban contexts.

Rosanna highlights examples from Italy, such as Lavazza's community-oriented headquarters, as models for creating inclusive and welcoming workspace environments. The thought-provoking conversation concludes with speculation on the future of civic spaces and the potential for innovative architecture and branding to shape vibrant, culturally-rich urban experiences.