- Interior
The best designs do not emerge suddenly, but take time to grow. Architect Alireza Razavi fully believes in this idea, and it is probably why his work appeals so much. With his Studio Razavi, he designed this magnificent residence in Paris, where sober class speaks from every nook and cranny and luxury takes on a new meaning.
The perfect balance between science and art: this is how Alireza Razavi describes design. The architect already covered a fine trajectory in his career, from training in New York and Paris to collaborations with prestigious studios. So his interesting take on architecture and interior design is based on a strong theoretical background, a lot of experience and a clear vision. ‘Design is informed by art and science, never just one of the two. It is up to the designer to decide which of the two to emphasise more strongly and how to find the right balance in a specific project.’ Of course, intuition also plays a big role, and always the feeling of the entire team is crucial here, not just his own. 
With an extensive portfolio and offices in Paris, New York and London, Studio Razavi is clearly not at their experimental stage. A key requirement in all their projects is that the result is timeless, as the studio believes that long-term enjoyment of an interior is one of the best indicators of success. A second requirement revolves around craftsmanship and finding the right materials. Above all, Razavi wants to create opportunities to create impressive craftsmanship."As architects, we draw something out with the sole aim that it will one day be realised. That is where all our efforts, or our science, so to speak, go. Meaningful designs, in my opinion, are the ones that manage to best convey materiality." This of course brings us straight to the materials the architect prefers to work with, although he has no specific preference in this regard. For him, all materials have their own qualities, so he is open to many options.
Design is informed by art and science
The context, the clients' budget, availability and suitability within the project obviously largely determine which palette is finally put together. Is there a common thread in all the studio's designs?It is a question Razavi finds rather difficult to answer, and he prefers to hear the answer from the mouths of others.Recently, though, he was told that there is a strong clarity running through the studio's portfolio, and that is what they ultimately strive for. ‘From the inside, it's harder to define one's own style.When I think about what questions we always ask ourselves before we start a new project, I would say that is why there is a kind of thread running through our work, rather than a fixed house style.’ 
Alireza Razavi himself finds it difficult to find the appropriate words to describe his work, but we are happy to make an attempt to sum up this project.Class, authenticity and warmth are the first qualities that come to mind. A personal interpretation of French elegance certainly also fits the bill, as do playful touches in, for example, the use of colour and shapes in the painting. Add to this the many artworks, often with an exotic hint, and it is clear that Studio Razavi's style is mostly one of a kind.
Images courtesy of Alireza Razavi