In an interview for Architectural Newspaper (AN), Jia and Maxi explore Spinagu’s ethos: combining traditional architectural practice with curatorial, academic, and exhibition work. They describe their commitment to alternative economic models, systems repair in architecture, and rethinking architecture as a platform for knowledge production beyond the conventional service model.

“I like to think of practicing, teaching, and research not as separate activities, but as different modes of production that engage with similar sets of issues in architecture in distinct ways. So, some activities, like teaching, are more about introducing important ideas and issues to students in order for them to have foundational knowledge about architecture and understand that architecture itself is a form of knowledge production. Other activities, like curating, are about bringing architecture and public audiences closer together. Both are opportunities to re-frame what we think we know in architecture.” — Jia Yi Gu

“every endeavor has a different set of conceptual and logistical requirements. Our different backgrounds allow us to divide and share responsibilities in each of the unique contexts in which we seek to make contributions—be it in practice, research, or curation.” — Maxi Spina