Hembert Penaranda 

Officina Architetti is a design studio founded by architect Hembert Penaranda in Genoa.
Specializing in master plans, architecture, interior design, and landscape, the studio has completed over 400 projects in around 40 countries, ranging from residential and hospitality complexes to stadiums, exhibition centers, urban renewal, and large-scale mixed-use developments.

Among these countries, Azerbaijan holds a special place. Architect Hembert Penaranda authorized several major projects in Baku, including Port Baku, Sadko, and the Baku Business Center. In his interview with the Bureau A&D team, he specifically expressed his admiration for Baku, saying he truly loves the city and its people.

With a multicultural team of highly qualified professionals, Officina Architetti adopts a dynamic and collaborative working method, turning each project into a creative workshop.

Every project is conceived as a unique piece, where context plays a fundamental role in the design process. This approach ensures original and tailor-made solutions without falling into formalism. As Penaranda himself says:

“When an architect has no ideas, they create strange things that are difficult to build.”
This highlights his belief that the essence of design lies in its concept.

With offices in Italy — Milan, Genoa, and Como — and internationally in Colombia, Turkey, the USA, and China, the studio continues to leave its mark around the world.

The full interview with Hembert Penaranda is available at the link: