Studio visit: Etereo

Rooted in Italian craftsmanship and shaped by the ambition and cultural diversity of the Middle East, their work places emotion, atmosphere and the lived experience of space at the centre of every project. Here, they discuss the studio’s beginnings, meaningful luxury, ORBITA and the next chapter for ETEREO.

How did Etereo begin, and what individual experiences did you each bring to the studio?
ETEREO grew quite naturally from our shared belief that architecture, interiors and art shouldn’t be treated as separate disciplines. We’ve always approached projects holistically, so creating our own studio felt like the right step. Before founding ETEREO, we each brought different strengths. Stefania’s background is rooted in interior architecture and creating spaces with a strong emotional quality, while Mirko’s experience is more focused on project development and the technical side of bringing ideas to life. Those perspectives complement each other, and today they’re part of every project we do.

Your work combines Italian design heritage with influences from the Middle East. How does that dialogue appear in your projects?
It’s not something we consciously try to combine. It has become part of the way we think. Growing up in Italy gave us a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, proportion and timeless design. Working in the Middle East has challenged us to think differently, whether that’s in terms of scale, ambition or the diversity of the people we design for. In the end, our projects aren’t about mixing two styles. They’re about creating spaces that reflect their surroundings and the people who will use them, rather than a predefined style.

What does the name Etereo represent, and how does it reflect your design philosophy?
The name reflects something that isn’t immediately visible. For us, good design isn’t only about what you see, but also what you feel when you’re in a space. We’re interested in atmosphere, light, proportion and the small details that people might not consciously notice but that completely change how a place is experienced. Those intangible qualities are often the most memorable. You might not immediately understand why a space feels calm, welcoming or inspiring, but it’s the careful balance of those elements that creates that feeling. That’s really what the name ETEREO represents for us: designing spaces that leave a lasting impression through emotion rather than spectacle.

These are the aspects that remain in people’s memory long after they leave a space. We have always been interested in designing that invisible dimension, because it is often what gives architecture its deepest meaning.

You describe emotion as an important part of architecture and design. How do you create spaces that people can feel, rather than simply admire?
A lot of emotion comes from things that aren’t obvious: the quality of natural light, the transition between spaces, the way materials age over time or how a room opens onto a view. Those are the elements that create memories. Beautiful interiors are important, but what people tend to remember is how a place made them feel. We rarely begin by asking how a space should look. We begin by asking how it should be lived. The sequence of rooms, the way natural light enters, the tactile quality of materials, moments of compression and openness, and the relationship between interior and landscape are the elements that shape emotion.
Beauty is important, but beauty alone is never enough. What people carry with them is the atmosphere a place leaves behind.

How has working between Dubai and Milan shaped your creative perspective and the way you approach different clients?
The two cities have very different energies, and that’s been incredibly valuable for us. Milan constantly reminds us of the importance of craftsmanship, culture and design heritage. Dubai encourages innovation and pushes you to think bigger. Moving between both has taught us to avoid designing with a fixed formula. Every client, every culture and every project deserves its own response.

Dubai is often associated with scale, innovation and luxury. What does meaningful luxury look like to Etereo today?
Luxury has evolved significantly in recent years. Today, it’s less about excess and more about intention. It’s found in carefully chosen materials, spaces designed with purpose and thoughtful details. The goal isn’t to impress, but to create spaces that feel timeless and enjoyable to live in. That’s the kind of luxury we’re interested in creating. True luxury lies in creating spaces that are entirely tailored to the people who inhabit them, where bespoke craftsmanship, custom design and collectible pieces are curated as part of a single narrative. When chosen thoughtfully, collectible design brings individuality, cultural depth and a sense of permanence that cannot be replicated. The goal isn’t to impress, but to create spaces that feel timeless and genuinely enjoyable to live in.

Could you tell us about a recent project that best represents where the studio is creatively right now?
ORBITA is certainly one of the projects that best represents where our studio is today because it expands architecture into the cultural realm. With ORBITA, we wanted to create a platform where architecture, collectible design, contemporary art and cultural programming come together, transforming extraordinary residences into immersive experiences. Launching its first chapter inside Palazzo Ca’ Donà, a historic Venetian residence we have been restoring, allowed us to move beyond designing a space and begin curating an entire cultural narrative. At the same time, projects such as the Bvlgari Loft reflect the other side of our practice: highly bespoke residential interiors where every material, object and detail is carefully composed around the client’s way of living. There, the focus is not on creating a statement, but on building an atmosphere through craftsmanship, custom design and a thoughtful dialogue between architecture, art and collectible pieces. Although these projects are very different in scale and purpose, they share the same underlying philosophy: we are interested in creating places with a strong sense of identity, where architecture becomes a framework for meaningful experiences rather than simply a beautiful setting.

Materials, craftsmanship and detail appear central to your work. How do you choose the elements that give each space its identity?
Every project starts with a vision for how the space should be experienced. Once that’s established, the architecture, materials, light and details all come together to support that idea. We’re naturally drawn to honest materials that age well and have character, and we enjoy working with artisans because they allow us to create details that couldn’t exist otherwise. Those bespoke moments are often what give a project its identity.

How do Stefania Di Gregorio and Mirko Sala Tenna divide their roles, and where do your perspectives challenge or complement one another?
We each have areas where we naturally take the lead, but the truth is that almost every important decision is made together. Stefania tends to focus more on interiors, materials and the emotional side of the experience, while Mirko is more involved in the architectural vision and technical development. But we challenge each other’s ideas constantly, and that’s one of the reasons the projects become stronger. There’s never just one perspective behind the work.

What is the next chapter for ETEREO, and are there new projects, locations or areas of design you are hoping to explore?
We’d like to continue building our multidisciplinary approach while exploring new ways of connecting architecture with art, design and culture. ORBITA is an important step in that direction because it allows us to think beyond individual buildings and create experiences around them. We’re continuing to grow our residential, hospitality and collectible work across Europe and the Middle East, while exploring more restoration projects and opportunities where architecture can become a cultural platform, not just a physical space. We also see great potential in expanding our international work through projects that integrate architecture with collectible design, collaborating with galleries, artists and makers to create spaces with a strong cultural identity. Alongside this, we’re continuing to grow our residential and hospitality work across Europe and the Middle East, while exploring more restoration projects and opportunities where architecture can become a cultural platform, not just a physical space.