Flexibility, a responsible approach, and the right resources dedicated to your project.
Our work mainly focuses on designing new houses and residential buildings, renovation projects, and bespoke crafted interiors.
Welcome to bureau69 architects, an architecture studio in Catania, Sicily, led by Max Strano, a registered architect in Italy (Ordine degli Architetti di Catania) and a Chartered Architect in the United Kingdom (Royal Institute British Architects)
Our design practice combines an international experience with a deep understanding of Sicilian culture and history to create bespoke and unique architectural solutions. The practice maintains a small size, focusing on architecture, crafted interiors, and project management, and supporting foreign investors for investments in Sicily. For larger projects, we work within a network of local and international professionals.
The design team specialises in residential and hospitality projects, offering tailored services that reflect the unique requests of each client and the unicity of the place. We also have the expertise to support and develop your Passivhaus project in Sicily.
AWARDS | ACHIEVEMENTS
Bespoke Furniture Design 2019
Innovation and Excellence Design, 2019
Best Italian Interior Design Project, 2018
British Home Awards 2018, Shortlisted
PUBLICATIONS | EXHIBITIONS
Innovative and excellence, 2020
ArchMarathon Miami, 2020
Carrara Dawntawn, Italy, 2019
Best Bespoke Workplace, 2019
Platform 2018, Best Italian Interior Design Project
Sunday times 2018, British Home Awards
Triennale Milan, 2018
Novara, Italy, Castello Sforzesco, 2018
ACCREDITATIONS
RIBA – Royal Institute British Architects (U.K.)
ARB – Architects Registration Board (U.K.)
CNA – Consiglio Nazionale degli Architetti (Italy)
Passive House Institute – Passivhaus designer
Founder director
architect
The architect’s job is to give a client not what he wants but what he never dreamed that he wanted
Denys Lasdun
Max (Massimiliano) Strano graduated in Architecture and Planning (MArch) in Italy with a top grade. Since 2000, he has been a licensed architect in Catania (OAPPCCT), and since 2017 has been a Chartered RIBA Architect in the United Kingdom. He is also a Passivhaus designer.
Max has built his career based on the fundamental principle that architects must possess wide-ranging skills (Vitruvium). He believes that cultural mixture brings diverse perspectives, which certainly leads to more resolved projects. Therefore, over the years, he created relationships and work opportunities with other professionals from other cultures and backgrounds. As well as he has played different roles in the construction industry: architect, interior designer, site architect, project and construction manager, and business developer.
After graduation in 1999, he moved to Barcelona (Spain) and worked at Alfredo Arribas Arquitectos Asociados. In 2003, he started his architecture studio in Catania, working mainly on historical building renovations, and small architectural projects. In 2006 he began a cultural exchange and collaboration with Jacob Goldemberg in Rio de Janeiro. During his stay in Catania, he participated in international design competitions involving other professionals and fueling precociously the idea of an international network. In 2016 he obtained assignments for some projects in Brazil and subsequently moved to England. In London, he worked as a freelance both as an architect and as a project manager for local construction companies. In 2021 he was invited to work as a Project Architect with leadership at the studio Konigsberger Vannucchi Arquitetura in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
The diverse roles played throughout his career gave him a comprehensive knowledge of various architectural and construction systems. Max is committed to high results and he is constantly updating in architecture and other areas of interest. He is interested in a fully sustainable approach to design, which he calls “responsible architecture”, and he supports the Passivhaus standards.
As the founder of a boutique architecture studio in Catania, he brings a personalized approach to each project, blending international experience with local insights.
Max speaks Italian, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM
NETWORK
The studio practice started in 2000 and has consistently cultivated strong collaborative relationships with professionals from different cultural backgrounds and geographic locations. We are committed to executing projects on a global scale. With a comprehensive international network of professionals, we are equipped to deliver support that meets the expectations of our clients.
Our architecture studio in Catania operates across Sicily while leveraging our global connections. Our team, comprised of like-minded experts from around the world, is focused on achieving excellence. Employing a holistic methodology, we emphasise quality and conduct thorough assessments of technical and economic feasibility at every project phase. We intentionally move beyond fleeting trends to prioritise substantive and purposeful design.
We assert that the quality of the project is the ultimate indicator of enduring value. Consequently, from the inception of each project, we engage with builders and suppliers to create meticulously detailed plans that consistently adhere to the highest quality standards (maximum performance) while ensuring durability (low maintenance costs).
explore our ARCHITECTURE SERVICES
discover our international PROJECTS
Supporting Foreign Investors in Sicily
BRIEF
US
Planning a project in Sicily?
We’re an internationally experienced architecture studio in Catania, we speak several languages, and we focus on supporting foreign investors in Sicily. If you have a project in mind, we are ready to support you with responsibility, competence, and a Mediterranean soul.