Interior Awards Q&A: Carolina Izzo
Carolina Izzo and Nessa Ryan-Andersen of RCP receiving the 2015 Interior Awards Craftsmanship Award for conservation of the painted dome ceiling in the Isaac Theatre Royal.
The painted dome ceiling in the Isaac Theatre Royal by Studio Carolina Izzo, winner of the Interior Awards 2015 Craftsmanship category.
Interior Awards 2015: Nessa Ryan-Andersen of RCP, Carolina Izzo and Adele McNutt of Studio Carolina Izzo. (L-R)
The Interior Awards 2015 Craftsmanship award went to Studio Carolina Izzo for the conservation of the painted dome ceiling in the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.
Federico Monsalve, editor of Interior magazine, chats with Carolina Izzo, winner of the 2015 Interior Awards Craftsmanship category, about the importance of restoration and the crafts.
Federico Monsalve: Craftsmanship… what does it mean to you?
Carolina Izzo: Craftsmanship is knowing how to treat or create something that, in your hands, can get a life of its own again or endure as new.
FM: You come from a country with a long tradition of crafts and re
storation. How do you see New Zealand’s equivalent progressing in the near future?
CI: I admire the capacity of New Zealanders to jump into new opportunities without too much concern. I see in the younger generation a desire to learn old and new techniques in the crafts. Regarding heritage, it is a pity that there is not yet a school of conservation and restoration in New Zealand, although a new course in the Conservation of Heritage Buildings has just opened at the University of Auckland.
In my view there are potentially enough jobs in the sector for graduates. We are working on the exposure of the profession and on reducing the limits caused by old fashioned and pragmatic views. Our study is comparable to architects and scientists. You can find out more about our membership group New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials here.
FM: Tell us about the process of entering the Interior Awards.
CI: The process of entering the Interior Awards is a perfect opportunity to review the results of your work, which includes revisiting the victories and the things that could have been done differently. It was a beneficial process – otherwise I wouldn’t have done it!
FM: What was it like presenting live to a panel of judges?
CI: It was a challenge to present such a complex project in ten minutes. It is obviously an important part of the selection process, to be able to speak about something so close to your heart in an efficient and unemotional way that will impress the judges. I think I may have failed that part!
FM: How was it winning the award and how was the reaction of colleagues and the industry you work within?
CI: It was extremely positive. We worked so hard in an area where there was not much knowledge. To be acknowledged by the Interior Awards was incredibly gratifying. The reaction from our colleagues was also very positive. Thank you to all!
FM: What has happened to you professionally since you won the Craftsmanship category?
CI: The Craftsmanship award gave the studio exposure in an area not widely explored by designers and architects.
FM: Would you recommend people entered?
CI: Of course!
The Craftsmanship category recognises a bespoke object or solution that has been created specifically for a project; and has not been used in any other project.
Entries can be submitted through the Interior Awards website until Wednesday 4 May 2016.
