Carmine Papa
Architect | Founder at ARCh
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This high school in Djilakh is more than an educational complex. It is a flexible community hub without rigid boundaries. Seven buildings surround a central plaza with a stage and vocational zones open to all residents. Each building features adobe walls, a 7x9m interior, and a shaded porch with the Guna Vault: interlocking terracotta cones forming a barrel vault that reduces interior temperature by 10°C. Local materials ensure sustainability, low maintenance, and a lifespan of over fifty years.
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Commissioned by De Twee Pauwen gallery in The Hague, Sedia da Conversazione was conceived for the gallery's upstairs Conversational Room. More than a piece of furniture, it is a spatial essay: a dual seat without visible separation allowing two people to sit side by side while facing different directions, connected by a silent dialogue deepened by an integrated bookshelf beneath the seat. Presented at Dutch Design Week 2025 as part of the Forward Furniture exhibition and featured by Il Sole 24 Ore, it was also introduced to the BNI during their Bike Tour at DDW 2025.
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Agora for Beginners is a self-authored and self-illustrated comic book exploring the themes closest to the practice of ARCh: architecture, art, history, culture, and the role of public space in modern society. Through a humorous and accessible adventure, the book addresses the decline of the social square and reimagines the Agora as the beating heart of urban life. Every page was composed, drawn, and coloured by hand in digital format. Published in the Netherlands by Boekscout and in Italy by Cervino Edizioni, it is available in most Dutch public libraries.
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To Zero transforms the ruins of Santa Maria di Settefonti, on the historic Gothic Line, into a multi-faith centre for peace. An independent structure sits entirely detached from the original walls, preserving their scars as a solemn reminder of war. The "War Clock" on the façade monitors active global conflicts. Inside, ethereal light filters through an opal roof, while a structural glass floor reveals the Romanesque foundations beneath. A monumental east-facing window serves as a universal focal point for all the world's prayers.
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Here is designed the complete visual identity for My SEA Journey, a South-East Asia travel agency specialising in immersive experiences. The logo is a layered visual narrative: its form references the Rafflesia Arnoldii, the world's largest flower, native to Sumatra and Borneo. Within it, a volcano, terraced rice fields, a traditional jukung canoe, and a Cendrawasih bird tell the story of the region's landscapes and culture. Bespoke wave-like typography echoes the spirit of the sea. Design clarity meets cultural storytelling in a mark built for worldwide recognition.
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Surmolotto is a self-published illustrated book co-written and drawn with Casanza, a prison veteran. No publisher had the courage to release it. Inside: violence, blood, drugs, and the raw, unfiltered reality of life behind bars. A reality that politics prefers to ignore, leaving prisoners to survive in conditions that strip away their humanity. Through hand-drawn illustrations and unflinching storytelling, Surmolotto asks a question that demands an answer: do they not deserve a second chance? Available on Amazon.
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This project for the Benut de Overruimte competition addresses the Netherlands' housing crisis by adding compact homes of 30 m2 and 50 m2 onto existing flat rooftops. Lightweight steel with a copper-like finish references traditional red brick while remaining recyclable and low-maintenance. Solar panels ensure energy self-sufficiency. Green roofs, pergolas, and bee-friendly planting restore urban biodiversity. A continuous promenade with integrated bench niches fosters neighbourhood cohesion. Applicable to any flat-roofed building, anywhere.
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In collaboration with Tektor, ARCh oversaw cadastral reorganisation and technical drawing updates for three WZH hospital sites in The Hague. The main Sammersbrug site covers 16,000 m², ranking among the largest hospital complexes in Europe. Work included floor plan revision, fire escape redesign, and identification of high-risk zones. A second assignment at Bezuidenhout required historical reconstruction from archival documents. A third commission followed at Nieuw Berkendael, a 7,000 m² facility, confirming WZH's trust in our methodology.
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This rustic kitchen sink cabinet is a bespoke creation tailored for a Dutch client, entirely crafted from solid oak and beech wood. It features a stunning stone countertop and intricate wrought iron details. The design encapsulates the warmth and authenticity of Tuscan tradition, creating a welcoming and timeless atmosphere that harmonizes beautifully with the terracotta flooring. This project seamlessly blends Italian tradition with exquisite custom craftsmanship, making it a perfect addition to any home.
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Designer House is a full interior architecture project transforming a plain Delft apartment into a home of character and refined contrasts. The intervention covered every room: entrance, kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Key architectural decisions included the design of a concealed walk-in wardrobe behind a bold yellow curtain, the integration of a sauna-inspired bathroom with wood, iron, and a century-old Delft blue ceramic basin, and the layered composition of living spaces balancing heritage furniture, original artworks, and contemporary design pieces.
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This renovation in Friesland revitalises an old barn adjacent to a historic villa. Timber and aluminium cladding creates a seamless transition from the villa's traditional brick façade, while original window frames and structural elements remain visible through the new exterior. Rather than demolishing, the design preserves and highlights the barn's architectural heritage. Internally, the barn is divided into two distinct spaces: a private residence and a B&B, each finished with modern comforts and precise craftsmanship. Thoughtful design, minimal intervention, lasting result.
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This versatile valet tray, projected in two sizes, features a sleek white central compartment with an interchangeable base in blue, white, or wood, allowing customers to tailor it to their taste or change its look over time. The removable compartment adds flexibility, serving as an ashtray, earring holder, or a catch-all for items you don’t want to lose, or even as a standalone piece. Despite its clean geometric form, this tray is both adaptable and resilient, inviting personalisation through its dynamic, interchangeable components.
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This renovation transforms a historic Italian apartment, long uninhabited, with an inefficient room-to-room layout. A new wall recesses the bedroom, creating a connecting corridor and integrated storage. Soft pink walls and ceiling visually enlarge the narrow space while preserving its intimate character. A hidden door concealed within concrete cladding separates the bathroom without disrupting the aesthetic. A custom kitchen integrates seamlessly into a TV unit, culminating in a nook facing the restored original fireplace. Northern European minimalism meets Italian craftsmanship throughout.
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This magazine rack, crafted in plexiglass, is designed to seamlessly integrate into any environment. Its transparency and minimalist form allow it to blend effortlessly with various interiors, making it suitable for both modern and traditional spaces. The rack features a unique curved, zigzag shape that elegantly holds magazines and newspapers, combining simplicity with functionality. Its carefully researched design makes it both adaptable and versatile, a stylish yet unobtrusive addition to any room.
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This bespoke architectural intervention transforms a medieval structure in the centre of an old Italian town into a refined travel and service agency. Every design decision was tailor-made to the building's character and constraints. A pre-existing false ceiling was removed to reveal a stunning vaulted ceiling, most likely belonging to a former chapel. Wooden beams now support modern spotlights, restoring the space's original height and historical integrity. A considered selection of furnishings completes a refined, functional interior that honours the building's heritage without compromise.
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This bespoke altar, crafted from plexiglass, was designed for a private mausoleum where expansive windows and Italian marble define the space. Its transparent, minimalist form creates a delicate balance between the grand windows opening to the sky, symbolising purity and eternal life, and the solid marble crypts representing earthly existence. The altar blends seamlessly into the chapel, serving as both spiritual focal point and visual bridge between the heavens and the physical realm.
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In collaboration with Studio De Luca, is designed a villa that blends the style and excellence of Italian architecture and interiors within the American context of Florida. The client sought a home that combined Italian comforts with the practical requirements of American living, resulting in a unique fusion of both worlds.
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This housing estate in Italy was designed in collaboration with Studio De Luca. While each flat features a fixed overall layout, it is changeable and adaptable to meet every client’s needs and preferences. This approach enabled the builder to sell the apartments quickly, supported by a brochure developed by our team, ensuring that each client was satisfied with their requests and received a bespoke design that perfectly matched their vision of a dream home.
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Renovation project of a private villa in Italy, undertaken in collaboration with Studio De Luca. The project covers the comprehensive design and planning of the villa and its gardens, creating a fully tailor-made environment precisely drew to the client’s needs. With a meticulous, personalised approach, every detail was refined to shape a dream residence where elegance, functionality, and comfort converge effortlessly.
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