Bureau69 Architects / Arch. Massimiliano Strano

Max is very particular, perfectionist Profesional very communicative and punctual trustworthy modern architect , with a heart of gold . Unfortunately the project didn’t go ahead as family disputes started.., but we will definitely 110% we will hire Max again on our next project ! Keep up the the good work Max we love you ! See you again soon Gabriel & Louise x

I contacted Max to assist with the redesign of a house that we had just purchased. I received an immediate reply and after a telephone consultation we quickly organised a face to face consultation, which lasted over 2 hours and was very thorough and insightful. I found Max to be extremely personable and engaging with a profound knowledge and huge passion for architecture. The quotation I received was presented in an extremely impressive format. I would confidently work with Max in the future.

LBA is a small company working in residential and bespoke projects. We collaborate with Architects and we also work as contractor for the IKEA fit out in Italy. We started our collaboration with Bureau69 in 2015. Max Strano, the Director, shown us his project for a house in Catania. For us that project sounds like a “weird” project. A complex mix of different elements, most of them designed in oak wood: the aim was to redefine completely a space that appeared empty and boring. The project was complex, and we didn’t see something similar before but we decided to start and to live that challenge. The project was successful: Max it’s an attentive designer , he likes to define each detail , he was a good technical support, very friendly also decisive onsite. After we had a few collaborations in other project designed by Max, we decided to involve him in our relationship with IKEA Italy. Max was the site manager for us in three Ikea stores. He prepared all the technical documentation and he liaise with IKEA design team. Another good job together and another successful work relationship. Few months ago, in 2017, we decided to build up a new working space for our company. The program was to build a representative and comfortable space, with natural light, nice texture. The space and the budget was not so big, but we wanted something different and “iconic”. Max perfectly understood our need and also in this case he shown us another “weird” project. A strange concept from a client point of you and a complex job from carpenter and builder point of view. We accepted also in this case and I think the result is stunning. We really recommend Max for his expertise in technical issues, his design skills, his friendly attitude.

I appointed Max from Bureau69 at the beginning of 2015. I knew him because of his works in Catania, and I decided to work with him for the renovation of my residential unit located in the historical centre of the city, UNESCO Heritage. The space, located on the ground floor of a building of the late eighteenth century, was in dilapidated conditions, and it needed to be completely renovated and restored. The architect immediately accepted the job and proved his capacity and expertise in designing the volumes in an efficient and useful way, although the complexity of the structure. The whole unit is in two different levels and two separate units with a big lack in natural light. He worked both in the design and in construction phase with extreme competence and excellent management of the entire process. Max also design a bespoke interior design, creating oak furniture of remarkable quality and elegance, giving at the whole space a strong contemporary style. As a client I consider myself fully satisfied of the total result.

The apartments designed and created by Bureau69 achieve a very clever and stylish use of space. The company offers a very professional service with excellent communication. Highly recommended

I know Max since the beginning of his career. I am an engineering and we always had a deep professional exchange. I was always attracted by the way he imagines the space. He really like materials and technologic details. He is attracted by new and bespoke solutions. His projects have always something different: I can say that I know well all his work and never I saw something already seen in other projects. He surprised me with his design skills, his competence, his problem-solving behaviour, his passion for his job. I am sure that in London he will do even more than he has done in Italy and abroad. If you have a new house to build or if you have a house to renovate and/or refurbish don’t hesitate to call Max and Bureau69. You will get something unique and beautiful.

Max, from Bureau69 architecture, is a very detail-oriented architect. He was appointed to refurbish and renovate the old apartment that I bought in into the historical centre of Catania. It was in very bad conditions. I immediately felt great professionalism and availability as well as he demonstrates high knowledge and attention in all aspects and in all phases of the work. He provided valid solutions to all my requests, making it possible to optimize the spaces and the functionality of the space. Many of his ideas were innovative and unique that have given character and originality to the apartment: he designed the general layout, changing the original one to allow the natural light to enter in the central part of the space which was without. He chooses each material used on the decoration and renovation, and the colours of painting, resin, furniture. He also designed the bespoke bathroom furnishings and supported me in choosing other piece of furniture for the other rooms. With any doubt, he managed everything perfectly to give that added value to the apartment by making it comfortable, welcoming and modern.

My personal experience with the Max started a few years ago and is related to the renovation of an entire building from 19th-century building in the city of Catania. Max also designed the apartment that I own and located on the first floor of the same building. The location of is prestigious and stunning: in front of a medieval castle in the centre of the city. The “Castello Ursino” a 13th manor built by Frederick II of Swabia. I appointed Max from Bureau69 because I immediately had the opportunity to perceive a technical competence, a historical knowledge and the right sensitivity for the complex setting. It was necessary to operate with modern technology in a historical building; use the right balance e respect for the history avoiding producing fake historic architecture. I really recommend him for the precise and sophisticated details, for the precision of each intervention, the delicate taste and the extraordinary use of colours and fine materials. He was very attentive to compliance the construction programme and the budget. The main work included the new roof constructed with new sustainable technology, preserved when possible the original structure. An intervention very precise and complex which put in evidence Max’s ability and skills. Extremely nice the restoration of the original staircase which was in poor and abandoned condition; after the work, it has acquired brightness and elegance. The apartment was treated with respect to the historical part and using a modern language for the new parts. A mix of vintage and contemporary style. I really recommend Max for his honesty, expertise and for his friendly attitude. I was very transparent with the fees and scope of service. Excellent his way to liaise with the contractor and other consultant and he was very present, almost daily, on the worksite, supervising the works and checking day by day the quality of construction.

I knew Bureau69 and Massimiliano starting from 1999. I involved Massimiliano upon restore of my home in 2007 asking to combine smart solutions to create new spaces with pleasant interior ambient. The result was very good using colours, lighting and materials (as wood for details and vertical lightning and particular stoneware for pavements) creating new natural light sources. He also optimized cost for release to stay in budget we fixed. Works completed on schedule. Total surface 100 m2 approx