Umbria, Italy | Ongoing Freelance (Partita IVA)| €47,000 – €49,000 DOE (negotiable for the right candidate) + annual variable component
On-site Monday to Friday
About the Role
Our client is a private estate in Italy, with its own in-house architecture and design studio. The studio works exclusively on restoration and development projects across the estate — exceptional private residences where architecture, interiors and gardens are treated as one continuous design language. The team is made up of three senior architects and eight draftspersons, working under the direction of the chief creative architect.
They are looking for a Senior Technical Architect to take the creative direction and translate it into precise, coherent and buildable drawings, details and construction information. This is a technical delivery role rather than a conceptual design one: the architectural language is already clearly defined, and the priority is developing it with rigour, sensitivity and absolute consistency.
You would guide and review the work of one architect, and act as the technical link between the design studio and the site — issuing drawings, clarifying construction intent and working directly with contractors and craftsmen. Planning permissions, statutory procedures and administrative filings are handled by external consultants and sit outside this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and technically execute high-end residential and restoration projects
- Translate creative direction into precise, consistent and buildable drawings
- Produce, coordinate and review construction details, specifications and technical packages
- Guide and review the work of one architect, maintaining drawing quality, accuracy and consistency
- Provide technical support to site teams, contractors and craftsmen, resolving construction queries
- Act as the technical interface between the design studio and site teams
- Attend site visits and technical inspections, ensuring the design is executed faithfully
Key Requirements
- Registered with the Ordine degli Architetti (Italian architects' register) - essential. UK/overseas-qualified candidates without Italian registration may still be considered under a Senior Designer title
- Master's degree in Architecture or equivalent professional qualification
- Minimum 10 years' professional experience, ideally spanning high-end residential and/or hospitality projects
- Strong background in technical drawings and site supervision of high-end residential projects, particularly private houses for high-net-worth clients
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD essential; Revit and Rhino desirable
- Experience working with reclaimed materials highly desirable
- A refined architectural sensibility, with genuine willingness to work within and develop an established design language rather than impose an independent creative agenda
- Fluency in English and Italian, both written and spoken
- Full, valid driving licence — a car is essential to live well in the area
The Practicalities
- Full-time, on-site Monday to Friday; hybrid or reduced-week arrangements are not suitable for this role
- Not an exclusive engagement — outside freelance work is possible, provided it doesn't interfere with on-site responsibilities
- Initial accommodation support provided for the first few months while settling in
- Freelance structure with genuine flexibility — take-home pay unaffected by holiday taken
Why Join?
Our client offers a rare opportunity to work within one of Europe's most distinctive private architectural environments, on exceptional residential projects defined by restoration, craftsmanship and design excellence, in a serene landscape.
- Direct collaboration with the estate's owner and internal design team
- A refined, international and highly ambitious working environment
- Learning and development within a dynamic, multidisciplinary organisation
