Radu C\u0103lin and Sebastian M\u00eendroiu, founders of the Romanian interior architecture firm PickTwo, started their company right after graduating from university, being one of the first in Romania to do professional interior architecture for commercial premises. The designers talked about how interior architecture has changed over the years, how technology and AI help make the life of interior architects easier, and which timeless truths of design remain true to this day.<\/p>\n
Radu:<\/b>\u00a0Sebastian and I met during the third year at the university. We became good friends and after graduation we discovered that we shared the same values. That’s how we came up with the idea of doing something professional together, so the two of us started PickTwo. We knew right from the beginning that we wanted to design commercial premises and work on projects in the hospitality and service industries. Residential spaces were immediately excluded because these projects are more subjective. Our desire was to work with commercial enterprises.<\/p>\n
Sebastian:\u00a0<\/b>I would like to add that we were lucky – we had two or three projects right from the very beginning. We were fortunate to gain the trust of our customers right away, even though we just graduated from the university.<\/p>\nHow have you developed over that time?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Radu:\u00a0<\/b>For the first three years, we operated alone. We developed a reputation with the first projects and kept receiving requests for cooperation. At one point, we felt like we were going to have a burn out and had to think about expanding the team. In 2015-2016, we attended management training courses and also hired the first employees. Thus, our team grew from two to about 24 people.<\/p>\nHow has the interior architecture changed over the years?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Radu:\u00a0<\/b>In the beginning, our target was the service sector. This was an area where clients did not care that much about professional interior design. Therefore, we were one of the first to furnish restaurants. Now, however, almost all the spaces in Bucharest are created by professionals. In the early years, of course, there were others besides us, but now there are significantly more interior architects. I think it’s good that there is more competition – it creates value. It was in 2013 when the clients started working with architects, but now they already have experience. They know what to expect and what the process looks like. It also makes our lives easier.<\/p>\n
Sebastian:<\/b>\u00a0I agree with Radu – ten years ago, 10-20 percent of service areas were designed by professionals, now it is 85-90 percent. I don’t think anyone these days would create them without the help of a designer, especially when it comes to commercial spaces.<\/p>\nWho are your main customers?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Sebastian:\u00a0<\/b>We worked in the service sector, starting with restaurants. Now that the team is larger, we can take on more projects. We also work with hotels which are the toughest projects in the industry. We have an opportunity to operate in several different fields. But we do 60-70 percent, for example, in the service sector. In addition, we have worked with offices and health facilities.<\/p>\n
Radu:<\/b>\u00a0Most of the clients are local, but we also cooperate with larger international companies. We are looking for new customers from other parts of Europe and the international community. Some time ago we worked with Heineken’s industrial office. We have also done interior design projects for airports, casinos and grocery stores. Our portfolio is very diverse.<\/p>\nHow does the interior architecture scene differ by country?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Radu:<\/b>\u00a0Interior architecture is influenced by culture – the environment and the people who live there. Thus, interior architecture varies from country to country. If you look at Northern Europe, you see minimalism and white tones. Southern Europeans use more details, their style is emotional and extroverted. The Balkans is a mixture of several different cultures – Western mixed with Slavic and containing Turkish influences. The design, which our customers are looking for, is very detailed and colourful.<\/p>\n
Sebastian:\u00a0<\/b>The materials and textures are determined by geography – everything that is available will be used. Oak is a common material in Romania, it is one of the best materials. In the Nordic countries, on the other hand, it is pine instead.<\/p>\nWhat characterizes the style of your studio?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Radu:<\/b>\u00a0Starting out, we immediately decided that we don\u2019t have a specific style – we want to create an individual solution for each client that suits them. Our style depends on the project. Of course, there are some things that we prefer on a subconscious level, but those are not the be-all end-all. We make both eclectic and minimalist spaces.<\/p>\n
Sebastian:<\/b>\u00a0As our team grew, we let each designer add their own artistic vision and style to the company. But everything still mostly depends on the client’s wishes.<\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>Pe o scar\u0103 de la 1 la 10, este undeva \u00een jurul valorii de 5 sau 6. \u00cencerc\u0103m s\u0103 folosim diferite solu\u021bii software \u00een munca noastr\u0103 – tocmai am \u00eenceput s\u0103 folosim un software IA pentru modelarea 3D, dar acest program este \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een faz\u0103 incipient\u0103. Cred c\u0103 inova\u021bia progreseaz\u0103 \u00een Rom\u00e2nia. \u00cencerc\u0103m s\u0103 contribuim noi \u00een\u0219ine la acest lucru prin utilizarea de noi solu\u021bii \u0219i programe software.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>C\u00e2nd vine vorba despre Rom\u00e2nia \u00een general, este la o scar\u0103 \u0219i mai mic\u0103. Pre\u021bul este cel mai important lucru pentru majoritatea clien\u021bilor, dar solu\u021biile inovatoare necesit\u0103 bani. Ar trebui s\u0103 ia \u00een considerare c\u0103 inova\u021bia nu este ieftin\u0103. Exist\u0103 mult loc pentru dezvoltare \u0219i este afectat de situa\u021bia economic\u0103 din Rom\u00e2nia. \u00cen cadrul studioului nostru, inova\u021bia este foarte apreciat\u0103 – este un factor foarte important. \u00cencerc\u0103m s\u0103 g\u0103sim noi solu\u021bii eficiente care s\u0103 func\u021bioneze mai rapid \u0219i mai bine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>\u00cen cinci ani, nu va mai trebui s\u0103 faci modelarea 3D tradi\u021bional\u0103 – inteligen\u021ba artificial\u0103 va face treaba. \u00cen prezent, modelarea dureaz\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni, cu mult\u0103 munc\u0103 preliminar\u0103. Cu ajutorul software-ului IA, l-am putea finaliza \u00een c\u00e2teva ore. Folosim deja unele software-uri IA care sunt \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een stadii incipiente, dar ne fac via\u021ba mai u\u0219oar\u0103.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>Am g\u0103sit un articol online despre OCCO \u0219i am citit despre ce fac ei. De fapt, am planificat, de asemenea, s\u0103 lucr\u0103m la ceva similar cu platforma digital\u0103 a OCCO. OCCO a avut resursele \u0219i timpul necesar pentru a face acest lucru. C\u00e2nd am v\u0103zut videoclipul de introducere al OCCO pe YouTube, am avut un moment de revela\u021bie – OCCO este o companie care se potrive\u0219te foarte bine ideilor \u0219i valorilor noastre. Le-am scris \u0219i i-am \u00eentrebat despre solu\u021bia lor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>De c\u00e2nd am luat leg\u0103tura cu OCCO, lucrurile au mers foarte bine. Am primit un r\u0103spuns rapid \u0219i folosim platforma digital\u0103 OCCO \u00een proiectele noastre, ceea ce este extrem de important pentru noi. Acest lucru ne ajut\u0103 s\u0103 rezolv\u0103m problema principal\u0103 a buget\u0103rii proiectelor \u0219i s\u0103 g\u0103sim produsele potrivite. Problema a fost c\u0103 am \u00eenceput s\u0103 select\u0103m mobilierul din bugetul clientului \u0219i am realizat \u00eempreun\u0103 conceptul, iar apoi s-a dovedit c\u0103 am dep\u0103\u0219it bugetul \u0219i a trebuit s\u0103 o lu\u0103m de la cap\u0103t. Cu toate acestea, acest proces necesit\u0103 mult timp \u0219i energie.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Platforma digital\u0103 OCCO cu inteligen\u021b\u0103 artificial\u0103 face c\u0103utarea \u0219i comandarea mobilierului semnificativ mai rapid\u0103 \u0219i mai eficient\u0103 pentru noi. Cu ajutorul inteligen\u021bei artificiale, putem g\u0103si produse adecvate \u0219i alternative \u00eentr-o secund\u0103, astfel \u00eenc\u00e2t s\u0103 ne putem \u00eencadra \u00een bugetul stabilit de client.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>Suntem foarte bucuro\u0219i s\u0103 lucr\u0103m cu OCCO \u0219i credem c\u0103 vor cre\u0219te \u0219i mai mult \u00een urm\u0103torii ani.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>Ajut\u0103m OCCO s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 contacte \u00een Rom\u00e2nia \u0219i facem tot ce putem pentru a-i ajuta s\u0103-\u0219i dezvolte afacerea. OCCO ofer\u0103 o solu\u021bie la una dintre cele mai mari probleme pentru designeri – cum s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 \u00een mod eficient produsele potrivite care nu ar dep\u0103\u0219i bugetul clientului.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>S-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat deja acum c\u00e2teva luni \u0219i este de fapt o poveste foarte bun\u0103 despre modul \u00een care OCCO schimb\u0103 lumea designului. \u0218i anume, am avut un proiect \u00een care clientul a solicitat scaune de la designerul german Herman Miller. Platforma OCCO a f\u0103cut procesul u\u0219or at\u00e2t pentru noi, c\u00e2t \u0219i pentru client – am primit scaunele cu pre\u021buri de v\u00e2nzare \u0219i fi\u0219e tehnice, iar \u00eentregul proces a decurs foarte rapid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Am comandat scaunele, iar clientul a fost foarte fericit. Acesta este doar un exemplu despre c\u00e2t de puternic \u0219i util este OCCO \u00een lumea designului.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>Majoritatea implic\u0103 inteligen\u021ba artificial\u0103, dar trebuie s\u0103 adaug c\u0103 oamenii ar trebui s\u0103 se concentreze mai mult pe materiale \u0219i texturi \u00een design. Arhitectura de interior ar putea s\u0103 se \u00eendrepte spre crearea unor atmosfere mai unice, combin\u00e2nd stiluri suprarealiste, minimaliste \u0219i naturale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>C\u00e2nd designerii au acces la instrumente mai bune \u0219i sunt capabili s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 munca mai repede, se pot concentra pe design \u0219i pot oferi oamenilor experien\u021be complet g\u00e2ndite \u0219i imersive. \u00cen prezent, accentul principal se pune pe imagini – intra\u021bi \u00eentr-o camer\u0103 care v\u0103 arat\u0103 schemele de culori, texturile \u0219i alegerea materialelor. Urm\u0103torul pas este sunetul, mirosurile \u0219i stilurile. Ar putea fi folosite proiec\u021bii luminoase \u0219i video. Toate acestea se pot face prin reducerea timpului necesar pentru lucr\u0103rile preliminare prin utilizarea platformei OCCO.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>Designul scaunelor este atemporal – ele r\u0103m\u00e2n acelea\u0219i \u00een marea schem\u0103 a lucrurilor. Orice altceva este variabil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>Materialele naturale, cum ar fi lemnul sau marmura, sunt atemporale. C\u00e2nd vedem \u00een mod constant noi materiale sintetice create, este foarte important s\u0103 folosim \u0219i elemente naturale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Radu: <\/b>Pot \u00eent\u00e2lni oameni noi de la care s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u021b – m\u0103 ajut\u0103 s\u0103 cresc \u0219i s\u0103 fiu creativ. Pot lucra cu emo\u021biile \u00een fiecare zi, m\u0103 inspir\u0103. A\u0219 sublinia, de asemenea, viziunea noastr\u0103: \u201eS\u0103 facem literalmente visele s\u0103 devin\u0103 realitate\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sebastian: <\/b>\u00cemi place c\u0103 munca nu e niciodat\u0103 plictisitoare. Fiecare proiect este interesant \u0219i special.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Radu C\u0103lin and Sebastian M\u00eendroiu, founders of the Romanian interior architecture firm PickTwo, started their company right after…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":27895,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[77,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviuri","category-noutati"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCum r\u0103m\u00e2ne cu inova\u021bia c\u00e2nd vine vorba de Rom\u00e2nia?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
De ce este inteligen\u021ba artificial\u0103 important\u0103 \u00een arhitectura de interior?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Cum a \u00eenceput colaborarea cu OCCO?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Cum merge colaborarea voastr\u0103?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Care sunt planurile voastre de viitor lucr\u00e2nd cu OCCO?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Care este primul vostru proiect cu OCCO?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Trec\u00e2nd mai departe. Cum se schimb\u0103 arhitectura de interior la nivel global?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Ce este atemporal \u00een designul interior?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Ce v\u0103 fascineaz\u0103 cel mai mult la munca voastr\u0103?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n