Architecture in Saudi Arabia: Augusto Cagnardi

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Augusto Cagnardi, architect and CEO of Gregotti Associati International, at the Building Expansion conference in Riyadh.

Where are you from and why are you here in Saudi Arabia?

We have two offices in Italy and these have around 70 architects. Depending on the type of work we also open offices in many countries around the world. Now we are working in Morocco, France, China and other countries. We are strongly interested in the Saudi Arabian market because we want to meet a new culture and go to new parts of the world. Our work is always based on the cultural field of the country, we have to make a marriage of our way of thinking and the local culture.

So you are not here out of necessity?

Yes, that too, the financial crisis in Europe is very strong and the work has nearly stopped. So this is a good opportunity for us to go outside and find new places to express our ideas about architecture.

Have you got any projects in Saudi Arabia?

We have only worked on here once, a long time ago, so we are very interested in working on and designing cities and individual buildings. We have to meet the partners, meet the clients and express our ideas about architecture.

What can you bring to Saudi Arabia?

Much of the technical knowledge is already here in Saudi Arabia, what they need is ideas and that is what our company provides. In many projects in this region I am always astounded that local architects try and imitate foreigners or copy – this is a great mistake because they lose their culture, they lose their way of thinking and so we try every moment to discuss and give a critique on their ideas to create a point of common thinking.