Messner Architects is a small practice based in Bozen, Italy, combining innovative, digital technology with traditional artisanship for projects defined by a strong regional context. Founded by the brother-and-sister duo, David and Verena Messner, they work across fields and scales, leading projects ranging from furniture to landscaping to housing. 

In this edition of Small Studio Snapshots, the duo discuss working as a family team and their quest for professional independence.

How many people are in your practice?

We are a really small practice, at the moment we are two to three people.

Why were you originally motivated to start your own practice?

Both throughout schooling and after graduating, we gathered a diverse set of working experiences. We realized that designing and working for others wouldn’t satisfy either of us. Starting our own practice became a kind of a natural consequence of that mentality. And we had some requests from potential clients.

The environment we grew up in—one of professional independence and entrepreneurship—also encouraged us. The support of our family allowed us to have our own studio spaces where we could work freely and independently, giving us the opportunity to start building at a very young age.

Can you talk about working together as a brother-sister team?

This works fine—we’ve known each other for quite some time! Jokes aside, running your own business, whether as family or not, requires absolute engagement, complete support, and confidence on a personal level. The inhibition to speak out is low, which lets you get to the point quickly. Plus, there is a strong sense of team spirit, as blood is thicker than water.

What hurdles have you come across?

Coming out of University, you are thrown in directly to the deep end and the reality of work seems miles away from what you came across at University. In the beginning, you are not aware of the responsibilities resting with you! Bureaucracy, insurances, payment, etc. did cause a bit of unease during a period of general uncertainty while starting our business.

How does woking in Northern Italy effect your practice and design process?

A largely regional context defines the studio’s field of action, as well as the rich variety of buildings of different eras and various social environments, you find everywhere in Italy. The importance of maintaining this rich fund leads to a strong tendency towards refurbishment, redesign and conversion. Furthermore, Italy has a long, valuable history and understanding of the arts and is unmistakably a cradle of design.

Is scaling up a goal or would you like to maintain the size of your practice?

We would like to scale up a bit, but it has to happen naturally, with the right people.

What are the benefits of having your own practice? And staying small?

One of the benefits of having your own practice is being able to make your own decisions! We work near Bolzano in Northern Italy. As already said, a largely regional context defines the studio’s field of action, therefore the design tasks given right now are of a smaller scale which consequently demands a relatively compact studio size to get things done.