Etna Studio was founded by two people who are convinced that a well-designed home changes the lives of those who live in it. Not in a poetic sense, but in a literal one: a space that functions the way you think and live reduces daily friction, improves rest, facilitates coexistence, and enhances the quality of time spent at home. That conviction has been the driving force behind every decision we’ve made for over twenty years.
We are Fulvio and Alessio. We’ve been working together for two decades on residential interior architecture projects in Barcelona and the surrounding area, and in that time we’ve learned something that isn’t taught in any master’s program: that the client isn’t hiring a project; they’re hiring the people who will transform the place where they live. That’s why this page isn’t about services. It’s about who we are, how we think, and why we do things the way we do.
Our approach to interior architecture
High-quality interior architecture presents a paradox: when done right, it is invisible. The occupant doesn’t think about the design because the design doesn’t create obstacles, doesn’t force them to make decisions that the architect should have already made, and doesn’t require them to adapt to the house instead of the house adapting to them. When you enter a well-designed space, you simply feel at ease. You don’t know exactly why, but you’re comfortable.
That invisibility is, for us, the highest standard of quality. We don’t work to have our projects featured in magazines, although some have been. We work so that our clients, ten years after completion, still feel they are exactly where they wanted to live.
Technology at the service of life, not aesthetics
Some firms start with style. We start with the floor plan. Before discussing colors or materials, we analyze how light moves throughout the day, where there are bottlenecks in the current layout, which walls can be moved and which cannot, and how the spaces relate to one another. That preliminary technical analysis is what allows subsequent aesthetic decisions to make structural sense, not just visual sense.
Interior architecture isn’t about decorating well. It’s about solving problems first, decorating later.
The luxury we value most can’t be bought in any catalog
We work with top-tier materials and brands because the quality of the finishes matters and determines the space’s long-term durability and comfort. But the true luxury of a well-executed interior architecture project isn’t the marble or the Italian kitchens. It’s the time the client doesn’t waste coordinating contractors, the money that doesn’t vanish into unbudgeted contingencies, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that what was agreed upon is exactly what will be delivered.
Fulvio and Alessio, the people behind Etna Studio
Fulvio is the studio’s technical backbone. His training and career focus on interior architecture as a construction discipline: he’s a master of blueprints, understands structural limitations, speaks the language of quantity surveyors and contractors, and has the ability to anticipate construction issues before they reach the job site. He is the person who ensures that what is designed can be built exactly as it was designed.
Alessio brings the big-picture view of the project and manages the client relationship. With a highly developed aesthetic sensibility and a listening ability that transforms a client’s vague ideas into a coherent and executable concept, he is the point of contact who makes the comprehensive renovation process feel like a collaboration rather than a transaction. He also coordinates furniture and material suppliers, drawing on direct relationships built over two decades of working together.
We’ve been together since the studio’s inception and have developed a way of working in which technique and sensitivity are not separate departments but a single approach to each project.
Why our approach is different from the industry standard
Most interior design firms in Barcelona follow a similar model: they design the project, hand over the plans to the client, and recommend contractors with whom they have agreements. The client ends up managing two simultaneous relationships with the designer and the contractor and shouldering the responsibility of ensuring they coordinate effectively. When something goes wrong, the designer blames the contractor, and the contractor blames the design. The client is caught in the middle.
At Etna Studio, it doesn’t work that way. We take responsibility for the entire process, from the first blueprint to the final installation of the furniture. There is a single point of contact for the project and a single person to call if something isn’t as it should be. This centralization isn’t just for the client’s convenience: it’s the only way to guarantee that the design that’s approved is exactly the one that’s executed.
We are the best choice for turnkey interior design projects
We are the right choice for high-end interior architecture projects in Barcelona, offering top-quality materials and furnishings, comprehensive turnkey management, and a team that takes full responsibility for the final result. For those who understand that a well-executed renovation is a long-term investment, not a search for the lowest price on the market.
We operate on the conviction that a project of this nature requires a budget commensurate with the quality of the materials, the finishes, and the complexity of the execution, as well as an approach where excellence is the priority in every decision.
That clarity, which may seem like a business risk, is actually what allows projects that align with our client profile to unfold exactly as they should.
History and credentials of the interior architecture studio in Barcelona
Etna Studio operates from its headquarters at Copèrnic 15, in the Sant Gervasi-Galvany neighborhood, one of Barcelona’s most prestigious residential areas. In over twenty years of operation, we have completed more than one hundred residential interior architecture projects in Barcelona, the metropolitan area, and along the Catalan coast.
The studio collaborates with Armony Cucine as an official distributor for Barcelona, which allows us to access the Italian firm’s entire catalog—including special editions—and manage manufacturing and delivery schedules directly. We also work with other leading Italian and European firms in furniture, lighting, and textiles, leveraging direct relationships built over the years that result in terms and delivery times not available to the general market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Interior Design Studio
How do I know if Etna Studio is the right studio for my project?
The best way to find out is through an initial, no-obligation conversation. During that meeting, we’ll assess the scope of your project together, explain how we work, and provide an initial budget estimate. If, after that conversation, you feel that our approach aligns with what you’re looking for, we’ll move forward. If not, we’ll let you know before you do.
Can I speak directly with Fulvio or Alessio from the start?
Yes, always. At Etna Studio, there are no salespeople or account managers acting as intermediaries. Fulvio and Alessio are the first to learn about each project and are solely responsible for its development. The client deals directly with the people who will design and manage their renovation from the first contact through to completion.
What guarantees do I have that the final project will match what we agreed upon?
There are three in total: the complete technical documentation we generate before starting any work—including plans, elevations, and material specifications that eliminate ambiguity; photorealistic renderings that allow you to visually validate the result before any investment in construction; and a fixed-item budget that cannot increase without your explicit approval.
Have you worked on projects similar to mine?
With over a hundred projects completed in twenty years, it’s very likely that we have experience with a project similar to yours: an apartment in the Eixample, a penthouse with a terrace, a villa in Sant Cugat, a second home on the Costa Brava, or a newly built apartment. At our first meeting, we can show you specific projects similar to yours, including many that aren’t published on our website.
What is the minimum project size you work with?
We don’t have a minimum square footage requirement, but we do have a minimum scope requirement. We work on projects that involve a complete interior design, with or without construction. We don’t take on one-off decorating jobs such as changing furniture or styling without a prior design plan because we can’t guarantee a cohesive result without overseeing the entire process.