Luca Panhota is the Office Director for Gensler Brazil. The office is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Q: What are the challenges and opportunities commercial interior designers and architects face in the South American market at this time?

A: In today’s market there are both exciting opportunities as well as challenges to overcome for architects and designers. One of the main challenges is that the South American market was dormant for some time, but it has picked up and is expanding quite quickly.

Related to this, the value of design has not necessarily been recognized in the same way it has been in other countries, so as architects and designers we place an emphasis on collaborating with clients in South America on solutions that drive the benefits and impact of design today. Design is now front and center. Where it may not have been valued before, clients are now more than ever recognizing the significance of the power of design. The design of corporate interiors has developed over the past 10 years and has also become a mainstream business in most countries in South America. At Gensler we provide a strategy and rationale in the design that reflects client’s work modes, process and their brand. This goes beyond selecting palettes and furniture, but truly understanding how our clients work and providing a workplace that promotes high performance. We instill in our clients that design is a critical factor in maximizing the return on their investment.

Another common challenge is that materials, which are readily available elsewhere, are harder to come by in South America given the import tax. Designers therefore have to develop innovative design solutions for clients; utilizing available but often limited, material selections.

While there have been challenges, I also see a light at the end of the tunnel for the design industry here and opportunities in the rich, multi faceted South American business arena. With the market picking up, there has been an increased demand for international design professionals and global design experience. I am native to Brazil, and intimately familiar with the South American approach to business, but also provide clients with a valued international professional experience.

Q: You have worked extensively in both North and South America. What do you see as the primary differences between design practice in these two geographic regions (design trends, best business practices, methods of project delivery, etc.)

A: Working with a variety of international clients on design projects in both North and South America, I have seen first hand that there are differences in design practices. Firstly, there are variances in project delivery. In North America, there are defined stages of the design process that include concept, schematic, design, construction documents and administration. In South America, the process is less defined and it is typical to just create drawings for a design build delivery approach. International firms like Gensler, who are practicing in South America, are able to differentiate themselves by showcasing staged methodologies that originated in the North America practice. By using a process-oriented delivery approach we are able to redefine what’s possible for clients through design that is inspirational, financially beneficial and performance-driven.

There are also differences in design trends, especially as they pertain to office space. In North America, it is typical to find twelve to fifteen square meters per person and in South American (eg. cities, such as Sao Paulo), seven to ten square meters is seen as a premium. With the existing import tax, South America still only has access to about 40 percent of the materials that can be found in North America. But, I am thrilled that there is a paradigm shift occurring with the uptick in the market, and design is becoming more valued in South America. Clients have started to request, by name, products such as Eero Saarinen chairs as they are now recognized as a design status symbol.

Q: What advice would you give to young designers about the value of an international/global perspective in design practice in the years to come?

A: For architects and designers, the value of a global design perspective is priceless. I recommend that young designers look beyond what they are taught in school, and use their curiosity to explore. They should travel and see the world; to open up their eyes to what else is out there. Within the firm and office, I can often tell those who have traveled versus those who have not as they demonstrate a different perspective on global issues and understanding of today’s design influences. Also, I highly suggest that young architects and designers be fluent in English, as it is key to be able to communicate with local and global clients. And, today English is the most highly spoken/understood language in this industry.

Q: What inspires you in your work? What is the most inspiring interior space you have ever been in?

A: My design work is inspired by the idea that ‘less is more’. For me it is the spaces with clean lines, strong design concepts, and a sense of minimalism that make you feel most comfortable and help motivate creativity in your own work. Projects are meant to be beautiful, comfortable, and functional places in which to work and live. The spaces in which the interiors have a connection to their exteriors tend to be the best and most successful interior spaces as well.

I have traveled extensively, and seen a wide variety of inspiring and beautiful spaces, but it is my own home in Sao Paulo that continues to provide me with the majority of my inspiration. My home is a place of comfort for me, but also a reminder of my worldy travels, as it showcases the trinkets and items collected throughout years of being abroad.

Q: What would you like to leave as your legacy?

A: I worked for a global corporation in the business world for 15 years. After working there for over a decade, I recognized that I wanted to pursue a new career direction where I could have an impact on future generations and make a difference in the world. At that point, I made the decision to go to architecture school. As an architect, I felt that I could design game changing spaces for people to work and live, and they would leave a lasting impression. Now, as the Office Director for Gensler Brazil, I also have the opportunity to guide and work closely with the firm’s young architects and designers. I hope to assist in inspiring those who are the future of the architecture and design industry, and that I can help them define their own career path.