AREA-17 is a full service architecture and interior design firm, whose philosophy of work is rooted in the Italian design culture. We proudly pursue the excellence of the Italian design, providing our clients with innovative design solutions, fulfilling their cultural, aesthetic, operational, and marketing objectives.The firm specialises in retail, hospitality and residential environments. It was founded in Florence in 2003 and has offices also in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Miami and Cuenca (Ecuador).I am currently partner and principal architect of the Florence office where I lead the retail design and graphic design teams. I also act as Head of Global Communications and Press.

IED Istituto Europeo di Design is a 100% Made in Italy international network of excellence, operating in the fields of training and research, in the disciplines of Design, Fashion, Visual Communication and Management. IED is an evolving educational system with the mission to offer young creatives a thorough training - both theoretical and practical – and hand them the ‘Design Knowledge and Mindset’ that will accompany them throughout their lives.I currently teach Design 2 at the undergraduate program in Interior and Furniture Design.

My role is to create distinctive and innovative retail environments for Coop, Italy's biggest retailer. I provide creative direction for retail projects of any scale, leading a team of architects and graphic designers.We create effective commercial spaces leveraging the potential of architecture, layout, interior design, environmental graphics and digital medias.

Steve Blatz Architect is a New York-based firm specializing in residential and retail architecture, product design, and visual branding.With over 25 years experience in the design and construction industries, The firm has coordinated over 400 projects worldwide. Its credits include creating flagship boutiques for Oscar de la Renta and upstart fashion label Tibi, as well as crafting the visual identity for such cosmetic and skincare companies as Lab Series for Men.I worked at the design of seven jewelry stores for Tiffany&CO, including the flagship in SoHo, New York which was awarded Store of the year 2013 by A.R.E. and the european flagship in Champs-Élysées, Paris.As project architect I work in design process from concept to construction documents coordinating a team of 4.Key duties: project management, store layout, interior design, storefront design, millwork design, construction documents, shop drawings review, rendering.

Inres Coop provides the design of the Coop’s stores (Italy’s largest retailer). I led a team of architects and draftsmen for retail design. Our role was to design retail format and store plans for this leading Italian supermarket chain working in conjunction with various significant design firms.Key duties: feasibility evaluation, concept design, client presentations, interior design, millwork design, store front design, design development, construction documents, prototype, in-store graphics, signage, rollout design, cost estimation, value engineering.I have been instrumental in the development of latest Coop’s retail formats; Hypermarket In-store communication and signage concept, Toys area format, Pet food area format, Pharmacy area format, Hypermarkets low-cost; Beauty area format, Clothes and textile area format, fresh food products area, Self-checkout area format; in-store communication and signage systems suitable for visually impaired.I have wide experience in the design of supermarkets and hypermarkets from 500 s.a. sq.m. to 10.000 s.a. sq.m. I managed a team of four. My duties included supervision and support of store planners and verifying the correct application of the formats and guide lines.

- Principal lecturer for the module “information languages design studio I”- Principal lecturer for the module “multimedia design studio I”- Principal lecturer for the module “computer graphics”

The practice was focused on retail design for non-food sector in particular services and electronics, with client such as Snai, Telecom Italia, Entel Movil, Tim.-Telecom Italia flagship store in Rome and Milan, projects noteworthy for advanced application of multimedia and IT and the integration with the architecture.- 40 stores “Punto 187”, Italy.- Showroom Entel Movil, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.Project manager, duties included: concept, store planning, interior design, 3D rendering, Construction Documents, Shop Drawings review.

Design of a residential development located in a former industrial area, 37.000 s.m.c. Prato, Italy.Key duties: schematic design, design development, construction documents, rendering.