Valentine's Day: meet the CASACOR cast couples who work together

The most romantic date of all has arrived and couples from all over Brazil are getting ready to celebrate and give gifts to their loved ones. In addition to flowers and chocolates, remembering good times and celebrating achievements together is also essential. At CASACOR , couples who make up our cast told us a little about their journey and what it's like to work together. Felipe and Luciana , from Plantar Ideias ; Ieda and Silvio , from Korman Arquitetos ; and Fred and Fernanda , from the absbenedetti office, told us a little about their lives as couples and partners – and, in all three cases, the couples affirm that it is possible to maintain a business with the person you love while keeping your professional and personal lives separate. In fact, according to them, they even complement each other. Below, check out the reports and learn more about the stories of the respective couples!

Felipe Stracci and Luciana Pitombo (Planting Ideas)

Felipe Stracci and Luciana Pitombo met in college – he in his senior year and she in her freshman year. After Luciana returned from a six-month exchange program in 2009, they began dating. Their life partnership began simply, but in business it wasn't so simple. "It wasn't romantic at all," Felipe described. At the time, Luciana was working at a company she didn't like and resigned – this was in early 2016. 15 days after the decision, Felipe was fired. “We looked for work and found projects,” said Felipe, and that’s how Plantar Ideias began to take shape. The couple's most notable project was the restoration of Ibirapuera Park . Felipe was a student at the park's gardening school and the opportunity arose to lead the space's evolution. For them, it is an honor to work on a project that was once designed by Niemeyer and that is undoubtedly a very important democratic space for the city. "It is not just a financial issue, it is also emotional and sustainable," he says. A coincidence : Antonio Carlos Pitombo, Luciana's grandfather, worked alongside Eduardo Corona and Roberto Tibau on the construction of the Planetarium in Ibirapuera Park, one of the spaces that will undergo renovation led by the duo. Half an orange Felipe said that Luciana is not his better half, but that they complement each other very much within their individualities . "We have very different personalities. We don't see each other as better half because we are unique individuals with qualities and defects."

Fernanda Abs and Fred Benedetti (absbenedetti)

Fernanda Abs and Fred Benedetti , who run the absbenedetti office, had a complete love story: they met at college, dated, got married, and only later met in the business world and became partners. Fred was studying Business Administration at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, while Fernanda was studying Architecture and Urban Planning at Mackenzie. Later, he also studied Architecture. "We both ended up studying two degrees: she helped me with my college work because she had already graduated, and I taught her about administration," said Fred. Fernanda took advantage of the 'management lessons' she received from her partner and created her own architecture firm. At the time, Fred was working at a corporate construction company. In 2004, they decided to bring the chemistry of their relationship to business and became partners.

Tree House Project In 2008, Fred and Fernanda were invited to CASACOR , but they weren't enchanted by any of the loft options to create a project. They saw the outdoor area and thought about the possibility of a tree house – far from that childish idea, but as a true refuge in the middle of nature, with elegance and sophistication for adults. They created a space that was capable of reconnecting the body and mind with nature. To do this, they invested in cumaru wood and other natural elements to bring greater comfort. It was a true milestone in the duo's career (and in the history of CASACOR São Paulo). The project earned the architects the "Olga Krell" award presented at CASACOR 2008, in São Paulo.

Ieda Korman and Silvio Korman (Korman Architects)

Ieda and Silvio Korman are a veteran couple – both in their life together and at CASACOR . Together for 50 years, the couple's story began like a movie script: "I went out with his friend and he went out with a friend of hers. I had already liked him [Silvio], but he didn't pay any attention to me." At various points during the interview, Ieda spoke about how even before they got involved she considered Silvio a hero. He had already graduated in architecture from Mackenzie and she was taking the entrance exam for the same course at FAU/USP. "When I was taking the entrance exam, he came to the test to wish me good luck," says Ieda. The wedding took place two years after they started dating. Ieda was 19 years old and said that, despite her young age, she was very lucky because Silvio always supported her and encouraged her to be what she wanted to be. "Most of the things I know today I didn't learn in college, I learned them with him," she says. Not everything is flowers The beginning of Korman Arquitetos was not easy. "Times were different, architects were decorators and only people with a lot of money sought professionals", explains Ieda. His career took off after advice from his daughter, Carina, who was around 14 at the time – and who later ended up also joining her parents’ company –, which encouraged her parents to appear more in the media and showcase their projects. [box title=""]"We grew together: both Silvio and I, as well as our suppliers and clients. I have clients who have been with me since I started, since the first apartment."[/box] Currently, the trio Silvio, Karina and Ieda work together. "Our relationship is super good. Each one has their own jobs, their own bank account and their own money." In addition to finances, the trio believes and has the philosophy that each project is unique, just like a family; and what really matters is the soul and the exchange they can have between themselves, their clients and their life philosophies.