Enzo Enea & Biophilic Design in The Design Questionnaire
In this edition of Love Happens’ Proust-style Design Questionnaire, join us for a peek inside the creative mind of Enzo Enea, founder of Enea Landscape Architects. And his stunning biophilic design at Fisher Island’s newest ultra-luxury condos, Palazzo Della Luna.
Enzo Enea & The Landscape Architecture Firm, Enea
After training as an industrial designer, Enzo Enea studied landscape architecture in London and then traveled to Brazil and Hawaii where he designed his first major landscape project for a Sheraton hotel. A hallmark of Enzo Enea’s projects is the fusion of outdoor and indoor spaces, the creative intertwining of the soul of the house with its surroundings.
With offices in the USA (Miami & Brooklyn) and Switzerland (Rapperswil–Jona & Zürich), today Enea’s team comprises over 200 multi-disciplinary professionals from over 10 countries, offering a truly global perspective in landscape architecture and design. From private gardens and terraces, restaurants, hotels, and resort environments to corporate gardens, public parks, and even golf courses, Enea will handle it all.
And not just handle! The unique strength of the company lies in its capacity to offer its clients a complete in-house service package. Enea begins its work with the planning and construction phases, the design and installation of irrigation and lighting systems, comprehensive garden care, and finalizes each project with the furnishings of the gardens. Services and style second-to-none!
Enea’s Biophilic Design at Palazzo Della Luna
A perfect example of Enea’s work is its recent project at Palazzo Della Luna, a boutique residential development on the ultra-wealthy Fisher Island off Miami. A zenith of bespoke luxury, Palazzo Della Luna offers move-in-ready and limited-edition turnkey residences from internationally-acclaimed designers, like Champalimaud, Augusto Busnelli, and Poltrona Frau. These contemporary homes range from 3-7 bedrooms and are priced from $6.5 to $40 million. A snapshot of the amenities includes a waterfront lounge with a butler-serviced Aperitivo bar and reading area; a beauty salon and treatment rooms; a staffed catering kitchen and more. Now imagine the greenery to match?!
Enea’s masterful work can be seen via a biophilic wall dressing the covered, outdoor terrace, bringing the island’s lush tropical surroundings to residents’ doorstep. The chic and tranquil space overlooks the ocean while moss-covered walls and an array of flora/greenery, such as palms and banana leaf plants, make for a calming and restorative space for relaxation. In addition, a lush entryway trellis welcomes residents every time they return home.
On a routine basis, Enea’s Miami Director Ngim Chea Gonzalez conducts holistic check-ins to ensure that the design’s biophilic aspects continue to enhance the surroundings. She is also working with current residents to extend this greenery into their units.
Read on for a peek inside the creative mind of Enzo Enea!
The Lh Design Questionnaire With Enzo Enea
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I find happiness in the simple things of life. Running through the woods, crossing the bridge over the clear water of Lake Zurich surrounded by its soft hills, and freeriding in the snowy mountains connects me with nature in a way that makes me truly happy. I also love eating with friends and family in the garden under an old olive tree, once again connected with nature.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I live my passion every day. Planning, designing, taking care of my trees, working with nature, and inspiring people, and always learning something new. Maybe that’s how I managed to grow my father’s one-man company to an international landscape and design brand run by 220 employees within 28 years, creating values for generations with our gardens.
What profession does your alter ego have?
Deep Sea explorer, just like Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I love the sea, the adventure and was blown away by the work of the French pioneer.
The project you will never forget.
I’ll never forget working on Palazzo Della Luna. The attention to detail and pursuit of excellence paved the way to combine sophistication and timeless elegance into a world of its own, ready to be sought after for generations to come. A true benefit to the lives of the residents while transcending the need to look any further.
Your favourite business tool or resource.
An open mind and open eyes.
The most timeless design.
I think the most timeless design stems from curating a space for a certain lifestyle and person, rather than what will get the most attention. When we created the lush entryway, North Lobby wall, penthouse terrace, and Central Park with a bocce ball court and croquet lawn, we focused on catering to a specific level of luxury that will always require areas for leisure and rest. I hope that in 20 years’ time, these spaces will still be in use through their everlasting design.
The biggest design faux pas.
Not considering the Genius Loci, known as «the spirit of the place». Wherever you create a habitat, pay attention to the existing nature. Work with it, cultivate it, but do not force it to be something she is not. Palm trees in an alpine ski resort, just to mention an extreme example. We do not want to force nature, but to be in harmony with it, to unite it with the environment and the requirements of the client.
Your design motto.
Outside In. At Enea buildings and gardens are not two separate entities. But rather one unit that we integrate in the landscape surrounding it. Shapes, colors, shadows, and purpose are taken into account, integrated while designing the garden, and this concept we carry inside the house, where the interior design reflects its surroundings.
Our publisher KOKET makes statement décor, if you were to design a space around one KOKET piece, which would it be, and why?
The Kelly Sofa’s fluid curves would be quoted by the contours of yew bushes. While the main purpose of the sofa, giving space for meeting friends and having talks corresponds to the idea of a garden or a park.
Love happens when…
You give love.
