We meet Sara Battelli, a Swiss-born, Italian-bred aesthetic polymath whose devotion to architectural design, art, sustainability and space has led her to seek excellence in several fields across Panama and elsewhere.
Through her firm, Sara Battelli & Co, Sara has created magnificent architectural designs to deliver spaces of a quality far above typical neighbouring projects. The firm has become a local leader in its field, overcoming challenges to realise clients’ dreams.
Sara has a portfolio of extraordinary projects, including the restoration of a 16th century building in Venice, designed by famous architect Sansovino; another complete renovation of a historic building in Panama’s antique quarter, Casco Viejo; and the first sustainable home (completed in accordance with Swiss norms) in all of Panama. Wherever she works, Sara and her team appreciate and respect local culture, creating spaces that align with and elevate local values.
The company’s latest project, the apartment Bahia Pacifica, is located in a prestigious building on Panama’s most exclusive oceanside. Owned by a cultured couple of mixed nationalities, Bahia Pacifica’s interior called for a subtle environment reflecting Sara’s client’s idiosyncrasies: interests in art, literature, and minimal Swiss design. Simultaneously, the tropical location and spectacular colours of the surrounding sea play an important part in harmonising the final picture. The result is ethereal and low-contrast; a home that fits its owner like a made-to-measure glove.
Sara’s chameleonic eye for design and sensitivity to culture has enabled her to shape projects for a multitude of international clients and projects, from luxury homes to large commercial developments. Her driving interest and skill lies in combining the needs and identity of her client, and attention to location and heritage, with original ideas that re-express these elements through tailored plans that are truly bespoke.
