We believe in architecture that belongs to its place.
Barberio Colella Architetti is an architectural practice that focuses on the integration of climate, materials and contemporary design and construction techniques.
The context may change, but the process remains the same: viewing the site as an ecosystem, understanding its resources and constraints, and translating real-world data into clear architectural decisions.
Every project begins by listening to the site: light, wind, orientation, seasons, materials and patterns of use. From this understanding, an architecture takes shape that does not impose itself but engages in dialogue. It does not seek spectacle for its own sake, but depth. It does not chase novelty, but coherence.
Our approach
Human-centred and climate-driven architecture
Our work combines technical rigour with design sensitivity: figures, simulations and models, but also intuition, proportion and sensory appeal. Designing means giving dignity to materials, interpreting the conditions of a site and imagining how a space will be experienced in ten, twenty or thirty years’ time. Every decision stems from this balance.
The climate is not a constraint, but a resource that shapes the layout of spaces, the positioning of openings, the depth of a loggia, and the density of the building’s massing. Our design is bioclimatic because it allows the environmental context to guide the form.
What we design
Essential spaces, balanced proportions, materials built to last
We design homes, interiors, workplaces and public spaces. We seek open, airy spaces, the right proportions, natural light that shapes the environment, and materials that age well. Sustainability is not just a label: it is the natural outcome of a process that prioritises quality, comfort and intelligent design.
Public spaces
In Polignano, we mapped tourist flows and residents’ habits in order to redesign public spaces and urban mobility. The result: places that work all year round, not just during the summer months.
Public & Commercial Architecture
Bamboo Office, winner of an international competition in Changzhou, combines architecture, bioclimatic strategies and environmental analysis to forge a direct connection between workspaces and nature, making the cycles of light, time and the seasons tangible.
Residential architecture
In Carovigno, an analysis of the site’s climatic conditions determined the orientation of the house, the depth of the porch and the materials to be used. The result: natural thermal comfort all year round and reduced energy consumption.
The method
Design as inquiry, technology as a means
For us, a project is an investigation. We analyse the site as an ecosystem: wind, sun, shade, orientation, usage patterns, available materials and local building techniques. Our design process begins with this analysis.
The advanced tools we use are not merely a technological gimmick. They serve to verify data, assess scenarios, test variations and measure the behaviour of materials. Climate simulations, parametric modeling and digital fabrication processes broaden the scope of design possibilities and make our decisions more robust.
Why choose us
Every place deserves its own design solution
We founded the practice in 2018 with the belief that every place – whether a part of a city or a home – deserves its own unique design solution. Not a formula that is endlessly replicated. This conviction continues to guide our work to this day.
Our work is not driven by a mindless rush, but by care. We believe that architecture is a form of care: for places, for the environment, and for those who will live there. We take responsibility for every step of the process, right down to the very last detail.
Selected projects
Recent works
What are you looking for?
Awards and accolades
Italian Sustainable Architecture Award – Fassa Bortolo
New Italian Blood Award 2021
A' Design Award
World Architecture Community Award
Publications
Architecture 4.0
Maggioli Publishers
Architecture and Design for Industry 4.0
Springer Nature
Projects published on
ArchDaily, Domus, Designboom, Archilovers
Contact us
Tell us about your project
Architecture is a form of care: for places, for the environment, and for those who will live there. Let’s talk about it together.
Via Gabrieli 7, 70125 Bari
studio@barberiocolella.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets Barberio Colella Architetti apart?
Both founders hold PhDs in architectural design and continue to pursue applied research alongside their practice. This means that every project also serves as an opportunity to test hypotheses in the field: regarding materials, construction systems and the thermal performance of buildings. We do not separate research from practice – the two activities constantly inform one another. The result is an approach in which computational design, bioclimatic design and construction expertise work together right from the initial design phase.
In which geographical areas do you operate?
The practice is based in Bari and undertakes projects throughout Italy and internationally. We have worked in Puglia, Lombardy and Tuscany, as well as on projects in China, Finland, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Our understanding of the Mediterranean climate and local building traditions informs our approach even when we are working in very different contexts.
What sort of projects do you carry out?
We work on residential architecture, workspaces, public spaces and urban regeneration. At the same time, we carry out applied research into digital fabrication, 3D printing in architecture and digital stereotomy. There is no single preferred scale: our approach – analysing the site, responding to the climate, and working with materials with precision – applies equally to design objects and urban interventions.
Do you design interiors and carry out renovations in Bari and the Apulia region?
Yes. We undertake interior design and renovation projects in Bari and throughout the Apulia region, focusing on natural materials, controlled lighting and bespoke construction details. Our approach to interiors is the same as that which we apply to architecture: no choice is purely decorative – every decision is driven by comfort, durability and harmony with the surroundings.
What is bioclimatic design?
It is a design approach that utilises the site’s environmental resources – solar orientation, prevailing winds, thermal mass and natural light – to ensure thermal comfort whilst reducing energy consumption. In the Mediterranean context, these strategies are deeply rooted in local building traditions: loggias, courtyards and thick walls. We validate them through climate simulations and translate them into contemporary solutions, tailored to each individual project.
How do you start a collaboration?
The first step is an initial meeting – in person or via video call – during which we listen to the client’s requirements and assess the feasibility of the project together. If the terms are acceptable, we define the scope of work and the fee before proceeding. We never start a project without these terms having been agreed in writing.
Where is the practice located?
7 Via Gabrieli, 70125 Bari. To arrange an initial meeting: studio@barberiocolella.com