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January 28, 2025

Meet The Architect Behind RVA:  Riccardo Vicarelli

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To mark the launch of our brand new magazine, we caught up with Riccardo Vicarelli, lead architect and owner of RVA. Find out more about his experience, and his aims as the company begins serving more UAE clients.

How did you get into the architecture and interior design industry?

“My father is an architect and he founded the company. I remember being fascinated by his work, seeing both renders in development and real projects come to life. He would take me along to visit construction sites with him in Perugia, where we’re from, so I had first-hand experience from a pretty young age – and it only made me more curious about the components of the ‘end results’ that I would see.

I’d say my father really was my gateway and inspiration for pursuing a career in the industry – he helped me to find my own passion for design, construction, and architecture. I grew up around his successes, and they inspired me to create my own”.

riccardo standing shot

“I’d say my father really was my gateway and inspiration for pursuing a career in the industry”.

What is your specialism, and why do you enjoy this area?

“At the start of my career, I worked on quite a lot of large-scale development projects, mainly mixed-use spaces (residential and commercial) and residential building complexes, and commercial shopping malls; so these areas naturally became my speciality.

While this was my starting point, I also developed a passion for interiors quite early on, too, and it came as a result of spending some time in London. I was so inspired by British architecture, and the way key figures in the industry could use interior styling choices to complement and emphasise even the technical aspects of their architectural plans.

This sparked my interest in the way architecture and interior design can be used harmoniously to create a unique ambience for a space. I carry this through all of my work now, and it’s a characteristic that I’m passionate about because it gives the occupant so much more than just a redesigned premises – instead, they have a space that suits its purpose perfectly; whether it’s an open-plan kitchen that doubles up as a place for entertaining, or a store that showcases products with bespoke joinery features.

I’d say that my interest in interior design led me away from the larger-scale projects, to focus on how attention to detail can be used in smaller, bespoke residential and commercial spaces”.

Can you tell us about your first ever project?

“The first project that I worked on is actually located near our current office, in a small village on the outskirts of Perugia, Umbria. My father had secured a contract to design and construct five buildings which needed to contain ten residential apartments, and he passed the work onto me to give me my first experience as an exterior architect. When it came to producing the first architectural and technical drawings, I realised the sheer scale of the work – it was a big test for me!

I remember taking so much time and care, applying everything I’d learned, but my main takeaway from this experience was just how much goes into turning an idea on paper, into a real, operational building. It was a really exciting project, and it’s still there today, 20 years on!

What made you bring RVA to London?

“After many years of successful projects in Italy, we felt that it was time to explore new markets and take our experience abroad, giving us an opportunity to expand the business. We were fascinated by the challenges and learning experiences that came from our initial time in London; it prompted us to merge our Italian heritage with different European styles and approaches. By expanding to London, we were able to enrich our expertise and add to our offering with new international professionals”.

And what about Dubai?

“Our Dubai expansion came as a result of my own curiosity – I’m always learning, and looking for new approaches, and Dubai offered one of the most unique opportunities for me to apply both of these things. It felt like a bigger jump in comparison to expanding into the UK, but we’ve already been rewarded for the risk in the way we’ve had the chance to work on some really exciting projects in the UAE.”

queens bridge road kitchen renovation

Can you tell us about your favourite project in London?

“The Queensbridge Road residential renovation has to be one of the most memorable – it was our first project in the UK, so it will always be a firm favourite. It included creating a design for a stunning glass box style rear extension – the final result had a contemporary finish, but it blended into the surrounding home so well. Take a look at it if you haven’t already!”.

And in Dubai?

“I’m so proud of our fit out for The Hour Dress, a Dubai commercial design and build project. The store is located in City Walk, a really prominent shopping mall, popular with a lot of locals and tourists. We created a purpose-built space for the business, with a revamped sales floor, a private fitting area for the bridal service, and a space for the in-store seamstress. The final result had such an elegant appeal, it was great to see it materialise from our initial designs and the client was thrilled too”.

And finally, in Italy?

“Our renovation project in Belfiore stands out to me, in terms of its architectural style but also its longevity – many years have passed since we worked on this project, but it looks just as impressive as it did when it was initially completed”.

Pick a city – Dubai, London or Perugia?

“Putting the weather aside, probably London! I’ve learned a lot about my industry and wider business approach, and it has become my second home. I do love Dubai, and I think both cities seem to enjoy the Italian heritage that we boast, setting us apart from other companies”.

In your opinion, what makes RVA the go-to option for your customers?

“I think the way that we produce personalised, bespoke solutions for our customers ultimately gives them so much more than they could get from any other provider. The fact that our services are provided as a ‘design and build’ solution also removes the burden of our customers having to instruct lots of separate parties; we offer design and construction expertise, from competent, experienced professionals, all under one roof.

Customers in Dubai, London, and Umbria all have one thing in common – they want convenience, without ever compromising on quality. This is exactly what I believe we deliver, exceptionally well. The RVA approach is also built on relationships, and I work to develop this quality with all of our customers, finding ways to involve them in the process and giving them a design that is tailored to their specific requirements”.

Lastly, what’s coming up in 2025 for you and the team?

“I’m starting 2025 by spending some time in Dubai, meeting clients and telling them more about how our design and build solution could help them to turn their ideas into reality. The concept is still relatively new, but it aligns perfectly with the quality and efficiency expectations that our UAE customers have”.

Start a project with an experienced, RIBA chartered design & build studio

Stay up to date with the latest RVA works by exploring our residential renovation projects and commercial fit outs, and turn the space you’ve dreamed of having into reality with our supportive, creative, dependable expertise. Simply contact us to find out more, or book your free design consultation today.

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