Editor Jana Kostic speaks with Melazza co-founders Florencia Melazza and Malena Taboada for ARCHISCENE Magazine, reflecting on Casa Viaggio, a deeply personal project shaped by quiet detail and intuitive design. Rooted in intuition and resistance to trend, the conversation moves through ideas of memory, ritual, and material nuance, charting a path through spaces that don’t just reflect the people who live in them, but help shape who they are becoming. From Buenos Aires to beyond, the duo reflects on designing through dialogue, building homes that listen back, and finding creative strength in difference.
INTERVIEWS
Set in one of Buenos Aires’ most tranquil neighborhoods, Casa Viaggio reimagines a family home through the lens of memory, material presence, and lived experience. Designed in collaboration with Estudio Bustillo, the project preserves the essence of the original structure while introducing tactile depth and personal meaning. From a gallery space that bridges the interior with nature, to custom furniture shaped by daily rituals, every design decision responds to a life lived across continents, producing a home that feels grounded, open, and quietly specific.
How do your individual perspectives influence the way you design together as co-founders?
Our individual viewpoints enrich every project. Over time, we’ve learned from each other and found an eclectic balance, where different design considerations—each fundamental to us—are thoughtfully integrated. We support each other deeply; we believe that every opinion adds value and brings a fresh perspective. That diversity becomes a creative strength, allowing us to challenge ideas from different angles and reach solutions that are more meaningful and representative of the client.
What keeps you rooted in a philosophy that resists trends and prioritizes everyday rituals?
We believe good design starts with how people live their daily lives. When a home is designed through an authentic interpretation of the client—rather than by following trends—it becomes a lasting reflection of their identity. A home like that stands the test of time and becomes something its inhabitants are proud of. That philosophy allows us to design sustainable spaces that don’t need to change with every passing trend.
What do you listen for in early conversations with clients when designing a home around its inhabitants?
We try to read between the lines—to understand what excites them, how they live, what memories have shaped them, and what they dream of for their home. We’re interested not only in what they say but in how they imagine the best version of themselves, so we can bring that vision to life in a way that makes them feel truly proud. That dialogue is where the project’s identity begins to emerge.
How did you approach the design of a home for a family that has lived in several cities around the world?
We took their journey as a source of inspiration. We incorporated objects, materials, and ways of living that held meaning for them and combined those elements with a new vision—one that would ground them in this particular home. We wanted their global story to be reflected in the space so that, despite all the cities they had lived in, this house would feel genuinely theirs.
What small detail in Casa Viaggio feels most connected to the family that lives there?
The composition of unique materials and contrasting forms makes this home truly one-of-a-kind for the family. One of the most intimate details is the bar, which brings together spirits and beverages from the various places they’ve lived or made memories in. That corner speaks of their travels, their stories, and connects them to their identity.
Which part of the home required the most rethinking and why did it need special attention?
The kitchen and dining area were central—not just functionally, but because they’re the heart of the home where family routines, gatherings, and celebrations converge. We wanted everything to flow naturally, without rigidity, and above all, for the space to feel playful and inviting rather than cold—something closely connected to the outdoor gallery. A space for meeting and pausing, full of life.
What kind of experience did you want to create for those moving through the space?
We wanted each object and each space to surprise the visitor. Moving from one area to another should evoke new emotions. Our aim was to create a sequence of experiences that invite people to look, to feel, to slow down. The movement through the house shouldn’t be linear—it should be sensory.
What aspects of the pre-existing house challenged or inspired your design decisions throughout the project?
As this was a renovation, we started with a clear constraint: the existing structure and spatial logic. That framework challenged us to adapt, reinterpret what was already there, and give it new meaning. Rather than force something new, we chose to engage in a dialogue with the existing elements and build from there—proposing something fresh yet coherent with the people who would live there.
In which part of the house is the silent conversation between you and the inhabitants most palpable?
We believe that silent conversation can be felt throughout the entire house. We guided the client to reinterpret themselves and uncover the best version of what they were looking for. That connection is visible in the bold textures, the choice of colors, and the different spaces that evoke shifts in emotion. Every corner holds a sensitive response to the people who live there.
As your studio grows beyond Argentina, how do you adapt your process while staying true to your design values?
We always focus on and draw inspiration from the person who will inhabit the space. Their story, background, and references shape our starting point. To that, we add our own experience as a tool. While the location might change, our way of observing and listening to the client is what sustains the consistency and integrity of each project—no matter where it is.
