Studio | Architecture and Interior Design in Florence

DEFERRARI+MODESTI was founded in Florence by Javier Deferrari and Lavinia Modesti.

Since 2010, we have worked across architecture and interior design, focusing our research on residential projects in urban and historic contexts, retail spaces and showrooms, museum and exhibition design, and hospitality.

Before founding the studio, we gained professional experience in Italy and abroad, including collaborations with Enzo Mari, Manuel Gausa and, later, Stefano Boeri and Giovanni La Varra.

We develop projects of various scales and types, always seeking a solution tailored to the site, the program, and the client’s needs. We work for private clients, institutions, and companies, including leading Tuscan and international firms such as Le Gallerie degli Uffizi, the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, Castelfalfi Resort, Tenuta Toscana, and Banfi Castle, as well as established brands such as Exenia, Targetti Sankey, Ceramiche Marca Corona, Mirage and Cruna.

Over the years, we have received Awards both national and international awards, and our projects have been featured in numerous industry publications in the field, including AD, Abitare, Dezeen, Domus, Elle Decor, Frame, Living, and Wallpaper.

Since 2017, we have served as academic coordinators and lecturers for the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design at IED Florence.

Integrazione tra antico e moderno: testiera del letto contemporanea e frammento di affresco recuperato a parete — Details of the restoration of a fresco and custom-designed furnishings. Casa GZ, Florence

Awards

Riconoscimenti

2021 | Iconic Awards – Innovative Architecture, organized by the German Design Council | TH01 Targetti Hub | Winner in the Interior and Innovative Materials categories.

2021 | Participation in the Italian Pavilion “Resilient Communities” at the 2021 Architecture Biennale, in the section curated by Rebel Architette and Alessandro Melis, “Detoxing architecture from inequalities: a plural act.”

2021 | “Anna Taddei Architecture and Design by Women” Award | TH01 Targetti Hub | Special Mention.

2020 | Dezeen Awards | Emerging Interior Designer of the Year | Longlist

2020 | BIGSEE Interior Design Awards | TH01 Targetti Hub | Winner, Workplace category

2020 | Archilovers Best Projects | TH01 Targetti Hub

2017 | IN/Arch Award for Signature Bars, Restaurants, and Hotels | Libreria Brac | Special Mention

2017 | Participation in the exhibition “Prossimo futuro: 45 Italian Designers Under 40", curated by Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi and Monica A. G. Scanu, at the Acquario Romano in Rome.

2015 | ADI Design Index | Xgone, manufactured by Mirage Granito Ceramico

How We Work

Come Lavoriamo

We design spaces by starting from the place, its existing qualities and the way it will be used. Each project begins with an analysis of the context and develops through a continuous dialogue with clients, consultants and craftspeople. Working in Florence and Tuscany has given us extensive experience in bringing contemporary interior design into dialogue with historic buildings and existing architecture.

Our design approach spans a wide range of contexts: from private residences in the city to historic farmhouses in Chianti, from boutiques and corporate showrooms to installations for major museums and luxury hospitality venues. We approach the design process by combining a broad vision with meticulous attention to detail. We develop every interior restoration and renovation project using a spiral strategy—analytical, pragmatic, and poetic—that is ideal for enhancing both the precision of urban and commercial spaces and the structural complexity of exceptional rural estates.

Architecture and interior design are developed together with custom-designed furniture, lighting and finishes. We work closely with contractors and specialist workshops, selecting materials and prototypes throughout the process to maintain consistency between the initial concept and the completed space.

Ninfa seduta, II secolo d.C., Galleria degli Uffizi, Divina Simulacra, Deferrari Modesti, Exhibition Design — Seated Nymph, 2nd century A.D., Uffizi Gallery, Florence

How We Work

Come Lavoriamo

Our design approach spans a wide range of contexts: from private residences in the city to historic farmhouses in Chianti, from boutiques and corporate showrooms to installations for major museums and luxury hospitality venues. We approach the design process by combining a big-picture perspective with meticulous attention to detail. We develop every interior restoration and renovation project using a spiral strategy—analytical, pragmatic, and poetic—that is ideal for highlighting both the precision of urban and commercial spaces and the structural complexity of exceptional rural estates.

Lavinia Modesti was born in Pisa in 1979. She graduated in Architecture with honours from the University of Florence. She began her professional career in Milan, collaborating with Enzo Mari, and later moved to Barcelona, where she worked with Actar-Arquitectura. After returning to Milan, she joined Stefano Boeri’s studio. In 2010, she founded DEFERRARI+MODESTI with Javier Deferrari. Over the years, she has received awards and recognitions, including the Anna Taddei Architecture and Design by Women Award. She participated in the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, in the section curated by RebelArchitette. Since 2017, she has collaborated with IED Florence as coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design.

Javier Deferrari was born in Buenos Aires in 1978. He began studying architecture at the University of Buenos Aires before moving to Milan in 2002. In 2006, he graduated in Architectural Sciences from Politecnico di Milano. After gaining professional experience in Italy and abroad, in 2008 he joined Stefano Boeri’s studio, where he worked on the redevelopment of the former military arsenal in La Maddalena for the G8 summit. In 2010, he founded DEFERRARI+MODESTI with Lavinia Modesti. Since 2017, he has collaborated with IED Florence as coordinator and lecturer for the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design.

PAST COLLABORATORS

Maria João Aleixo de Barcelos, Ilayda Aşan, Sara Bitossi, Paola Buselli, Dario Calonaci, Jessica Carione, Cinzia Deviti, Francesco Giuffrida, Katerina Margoldova, Oliviero Martini, Robin Muller, Elisa Palaia, Sara Panchetti, Asia Piccinini, Francesca Quaranta, Gioia Romani, Maria Domenica Russo, Lorenzo Saccomando, Michela Tonelli.