MA Interior Design: Cultural Contexts in Interior Design - Pinto

This case study examines the profound relationship between cultural contexts and interior design, focusing on the work of Alberto Pinto. It explores how historical events, location, materiality, and technology shaped Pinto's design philosophy and creative output. The analysis delves into Pinto's multicultural background, his preference for volume and space, and his emphasis on color and lighting. It further discusses how factors like globalization, technological advancements, and consumerism influenced his approach to interior design, leading to his signature luxurious and eclectic style. The study highlights specific examples of Pinto's projects, demonstrating how cultural elements played a crucial role in his design decisions, from space utilization to material selection and table setting aesthetics.

CULTURAL
CONTEXTS IN
INTERIOR DESIGN

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Interior design can be explained as an art and science of augmenting the interior look of a
building or any other structure to enhance its pleasing ambiance. The report would be examining
how interior design and cultures are having inseparable relationship, and how cultural
phenomenon are affecting the texture of interior design (Karimov and Karimova, 2021) With this
regard a case study would be articulated about Alberto Pinto who has been one of the most
salient architectural digest and having a range of affiliations with his name. Here a deep study
would be carried out about how the prevailing culture affected creativity of Alberto Pinto's
creativity.
MAIN BODY
Culture of interior design is having its very old history, prehistoric human used to live in
caves and some other natural structures, the existence of human-being on this planet is supposed
to be around for 2 million years. Eugene- Emmanuel said it in (1814-79) about shelter making
process of human-being. So from the information it can be deciphered that the interior design
would be having latter existence than the inception of human asylum (Neves and Pombo, 2020)
Culture word came from the term “cult” which means to get tended or to care for
something. It can be explained as “ care and cultivation”. The culture is a constellation of values,
attitudes, morality, customs and norms which are for a particular group and are being passed
form one generation to another. From the viewpoints of (Appelgren, 2019) culture is the way of
life” which is guiding different life related practises of a particular group.
Alberto Pinto who has been one of the most cherished interior designer. He was active
from 1945 to 2012, in his career he has achieved a number of awards and affiliations for his great
work and ability to bring something ground braking for his clients. He was a resident of Place
des Victoires in Paris. He was having great impact of cultural aspects, for instance he was born
in Casablanca, and his father belonged to Argentina and mother from Morocco, he accepted that
Morocco made him open-minded person with higher generosity.
As Alberto Pinto has shown his preference for Volume, Eclecticism, space and light over
form of style, it is living testimony that there were some cultural forces which were influencing
his way of working in the field of interior designing. There are multiple aspects of culture such
as historical, locational, materiality, technology, place etc. which are behind fabrication and

grooming of architecture. These all elements are having their influence on the creativity used by
Alberto Pinto.
There are number of elements of interior design for example- space, form, line, light,
colour, pattern, texture etc. over time, different interior design trends took place and it can be
seen in the work of Albert Pinto. Who is one of the biggest admirer of colour and lighting rather
than any design. He strongly believes that if the colour and lighting is proper with bigger space
and volume then the best interior design can be prepared. He had belief that pattern and texture
must be opened so can give positive and open vibes to client.
Alberto Pinto started working with his sister Linda Pinto for more than 30 years (Ireland,
2018) due to some by birth identities he was having sort of cultural constellations which were
being reflected behind his work. His family was not native of the nation at the same time he was
serving his clients across the broader so there were rigours need for him to go with different
styles to meet the requirements of his clients. He had great influence of mixed culture, when he
attended institution to hike his knowledge of decoration and architects he found his early thought
decisive.
In October 1992 he said that he was not having any specific style of designing the houses
since he had beliefs in brining the best level of comfort to his clients. It would be having some
historical reasons behind. Since the time when he was serving some historical aspects were
hugely responsible for his work. In the mid of twentieth century the Impressionism came into
existence and in franc it started being reflected in painting, music, and architectures too (Cao,
2021)
Specifically after 1960s the post-war immigration took place, and people form different
communities took shelter there in franc which paved way for mixed type of culture. It can be
seen in the work of Alberto Pinto (Lee, 2020) He supported the design which gives comfort
rather than reflecting certain set of thoughts, he loved space, and volume in benefit of his clients.
So it shows that historical events were directly related to the work of Pinto.
Historically this was the time when commercialization was growing faster, Pinto became
one of the most common name when it came to interior design, due to prevailing circumstances
he also worked for commercial, and contract projects, along with residential work. Where he was
engaged from beginning.

He supported “Large Space” it can be said that the large space had been the most
common phenomenon in the work of Pinto. He used to believe that giving large space give
higher opportunity to satisfy the client and providing him ease of residing, and giving peaceful
resident, total eclecticism.
Materiality is one of the most crucial aspect which is having its greater influence on the
work and skills of an architect. Since the material available in the society would be giving shape
to the work, in all different ages there has been significant shifts in the availability of materials.
With the progress of time there were different materials started being excavated and made
available for such users (Ching and Binggeli, 2018)
Over time, for interior design a range of materials for instance Bakelite, Lacquer, chrome,
Stainless steel, electric lighting, aluminium, etc. It advanced the work and way representing
interior decoration. Albert Pinto was already enthusiastic for lighting. As in his a statement he
supported the conviction that rather than any style it is better to prefer lighting and colour. It
augmented creativity of Pinto and enhanced his skill level.
In his childhood he used to have diverse instruments which gave him good tendencies to
begin with new culture. It upheld his eclectic characteristic. Globalization also supported him,
and he found his clients from different nations such as Royal Family of Saudi Arabia had been
his one of the most famous client. Due to materiality factor it became handy for the man to use
more space for making houses or buildings, he often supported the houses with bigger space so
can give more comfort to people. Materiality is the factor which allowed him to carry out his
projects in many nations such as UK, USA, Saudi Arabia etc. (Mallgrave, 2018)
Location is another element of culture which affects the design of building and any other
form of architecture. As it has been observed in the work of Alberto Pinto. As the studies found
that the role of site is very much bigger when it comes to the interior design, there are some
factors such as topography, topology, construction content, and other inherent elements.
Pinto worked for mainly big clients who were having requirement of luxury houses with
big site. It made him structure his designing considering more space. As Alberto Pinto made the
statement about his work that he does not follow any particular style rather his main attention on
bigger space so can extend better design with bigger space.
The book “World Interiors (Flammarion, 2012)” disclosed about Manhattan Apartment
which is having a big living room, it is exact evidence that Albert Pinto got affected by the

available site in that particular phase of time, this cultural aspect affected his work. There are
multiple examples to substantiate the logic. The notion would be self justifiable that the main
driver behind the practise of “Maximalist style” of Pinto had been cultural impacts which were
making him align with it (Khakberdiyev, et al. 2021)
Technology is an inseparable element of any culture. The development and present status
of technology decides how the relevant dimensions will go. It would be faire to say that
technology influenced the work and design of Albert Pinto. He was working in such age at that
time the technological advancements took a raise and was getting escalated day by day.
Specifically constitution work, which is very sensitive to technological up-gradation, for
instance- with inception of steam engine it took great surge in the eighteenth century and
industrial revolution also opened doors for hyper technological transformation. It became handy
to construct unsupported roofs, fabricating higher buildings had been easier with the use of
technology.
Technology surged the inception of hotels, yachts, apartments, companies etc. it gave
great chance to Pinto to show his excellence and advancing his interior design. Albert Pinto is
known for his luxurious, eclecticism and refinement work, it became possible due to use of
modern technology. It is fair to say with respect to shifting interior design of the architect due to
technological advancement. With the use of modern technology it becomes easier for Roberto to
impart new dimensions or creativity to his work.
He made his visit to many nations to perceive their design and how they were structuring
interior look of their buildings. With this regard the man explored India, Italy, Mexico, England
etc. he found that the interior design is hugely game of colour and volume. Technological
enhancement opened a wide window to bring new colours and new items to use while fabricating
or giving shape to interior part of a building (Vijapur, et al. 2021)
Technology and history are nothing but two different sides of a coin when it comes to
development of architectural design. There are multiple instances to substantiate the logic that
the construction work and interior design are having greater influence of prevailing technology.
Albert Pinto also used some historical and technological tools to shape his work of fabricating
interior design.
With the development of consumerism things such as tableware, Asian and European
porcelain, silverware, linen became key highlights of the interior design used by Pinto. He was

closely observing the trends and how culture was taking turn in order to bring the best to his
clients. Historically the imperialism brought luxury life to people, they used to eat on table and
chair, Pinto got influenced by this, and he also paid severe attention to the decoration and proper
presentation of table setting.
In the early 19th century of French ornithological service which made it all possible. He
had a unique philosophy which was influenced by historical and technological events. He
accentuated for Richelieu openwork, embroidery, lace insets, specific embroidery of plants and
animals, it was significantly changing the value of interior design. The colonial era was having
their way of showing luxury by such indicators so it was having its direct influence on the work
of Albert Pinto. His table setting has been very affluent, and he used all his creativity to enhance
the ambiance for the clients. Using silver, crystal, textiles, porcelain were great attractions of his
work which were ultimately guided by both technology and history (Jain, 2021)
Technology augmented capacity of different artworks which could be seen in the work of
Albert Pinto. For instance in Portugal silver animals were getting fabricated, it gave inner
insights to him, and he used such pieces for interior decoration. He had used these monuments
and pieces of art in order to make the interior environment attractive for his clients.
The work of Pinto got influenced by a range of cultures. He was from such family which
was having diversity, his parents were form different cultures which gave him deeper
understanding of different cultures. His mother was for Mexico and it was accepted by Pinto that
it brought him different taste, understanding about different culture which has been reflected in
his work and creativity. The birth and nurturing both have made significant influence on the
work and ability of the man, his sister described about him that Pinto wanted his special world
with his unique design which may bring freshness to all and can enhance experience of people.
If talk about political aspects then it is so often to see the world got divided between
Marxist and non Marxist world. As it can be seen that Marxist theory of architecture got
developed also affected to the prevailing interior design, after world war second. It became easier
to see free flow of market and it allowed Pinto to go outside and show off his ability with his
area of specialization. He went to many nations, specifically Saudi Arabia and UK where he
extended his services to people in order to make their interior design experience unique
(Munene, 2018)

In the late 20th century the political dynamics started getting changed due to global
political shuffle and it made big changes and influences to interior design, now it became handy
for such architects to move form one nation to another and imparting skills in different realm. So
cultural mobility is now higher for them which can be seen in the work of Alberto Pinto. Who
designed Boing aircraft which is the greatest piece of his interior designing.
On the other hands, free market policy brought new window of opportunity for Albert
Pinto, and he discovered his new excellence in this field. It not only allowed him to make new
clients but working with global clients inculcated new things, new designs in his work. So on the
basis of the above stated evidence it can be said that these aspects of culture brought
comprehensive changes in the interior design work of Albert Pinto.
Social phenomenon took a sharp turn specifically after 1930s when the world faced one
of the most horrendous calamity in term of economic dis-stability. It affected the economic and
social aspects but after the indicated the world has shown great recovery which paved way for
further development of interior architecture. After going through this tragedy the world
perceived one thing that there must be free exchange of knowledge, money and economic
activities so can help each other (Adams, 2020)
With changing social norms people got more inclined to live luxury life, it can be seen in
the work of Albert Pinto. He used silver, and animal printed embroidery, mammoth sized holes,
luxury inner design, using different silver animals, frolic prints on walls etc. This is living
testimony that the social aspects of culture was bringing dynamic changes to the work of Alberto
Pinto. These all creativeness came due to social philosophy of acceptance.
Pinto brought a mixed type of interior design which was heavily influenced by different
cultures which were explored by him through his travelling. Over time, travelling facilitated his
way of working, his course of actions were experiencing greater influence of social norms. There
has been a range of new realm which has been explored by him, since the society was changing
its convictions about architects and started embracing new things, new designs, which can give
them sense of superiority, Pinto cached this idea quickly and fabricated his designs aligning with
the expectations of clients so it can be summarized that social aspects played mammoth role in
shaping up the views and interior designing of Alberto Pinto.
The development of literature and philosophy also affected interior design work. The
enhancement of philosophy took a sharp turn and brought mammoth changes for people. The

biggest philosophical change can in late 20th century. It gave freedom and supported the notion
of liberalism and futurism. It changed the mental state and opinion of architects, as Albert Pinto
said, that he was not much concern about any specific style but his entire concern was about
space, volume, colour, and light. The fact can not be denied that these philosophic aspects
brought bigger shifts in the work of Pinto which can be seen in his interior design.
Albert brought textures and colours of Morocco, Byzantium, India and some other
nations too. He also paid attention to the parts like Europe, North Africa, North America etc. it
made him learn new things like intricate tile-work, glittering objects, silks, damasks, fine work
etc. here it is rational to articulate that he got influenced by the cultures of number of nations. He
authored the book “Alberto Pinto Orientalism” in the year 2004 this book is consisting around
254 pages and giving great insights about his work and how he shaped up his interior design
ideas (Kamal, et al. 2019)
The book “Albert Pinto Today” which came into public domain in the year 2011. The
book revealed that how he got influenced by the modern culture. Specifically contemporary
apartments in London and NY, so English culture which is getting priority across the globe
became his choice to get the clients satisfied. He also revealed that now his proper attention was
on space and volume rather than colour and lights which he already considered to be decisive in
this age.
He upheld the conviction that according to the taste or client he uses his ability, skills of
interior decoration. With the time the work and its requirements are getting changed so with the
time Alberto Pinto has also aligned in attempt to present his best. The renovation work of “La
Mamounia” hotel has been one of the best example that how he was changing his way of
working and fetching his best and newest interior designs to the clients (Peterson, et al. 2019)
So from the evaluation above it can be summarized that there are different segments of
culture which are having their influence on the work of Alberto Pinto. Who is one of the most
cherished architect of modern age and had been active till the year 2014. The report broadly
discussed the impacts on different cultures on his skills and creativity.

CONCLUSION
Form the report above it can be concluded that the prevailing culture is having its great
influence on the performance and creativity of an interior designer. With this respect, a range of
authentic evidence had been used, the case study presented fully fledged ideas that how the
culture was being reflected in the work of Alberto Pinto, who has been one of the most cherished
architecture and articulated his ideas in a wider range about interior design.

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