If Lapo Elkann were a house, it would look like the one designed by French architect Florent Lesaulnier, who has dedicated a bizarre project to the Agnelli heir: a house with marine and military references inspired right by Lapo, who is the brother of Fiat chairman John Elkann.
“I had this idea after reading an interview to Lapo on the New York Times,” says Lesaulnier. “We didn’t know each other then, but I’ve always had a great passion for Italy and for Turin in particolar [where Fiat headquarters are located]. I always thought he was an interesting person. The idea for this project came as I finished reading the article. He’s a hybrid and mysterious person, a total artist.”
The house looks as if it were suspended in the air like a space shuttle, protected by a sort of camouflage harmor that recalls Elkan’s fashion style, like his military jackets, but also his cars: he changed his Ferrari and Jeep Grand Cherokee, often parked where they are not supposed to in Milan, to have a military look. Lapo, unlike his brother John who is perceived as shy and reserved, if often in the news for his flamboyant and uncoventional style.
At the moment, Casa Lapo is still just a project on paper, which the architect has already presented to Lapo in Milan. Lesaulnier said Elkann liked the project, however he is too busy right now to follow its construction, so there are no imminent plans to build the house. However, someone else appears to be interested. “Someone from Australia contacted me because he was interested in the project, but I told them the house is for Lapo. It looks like him, and nobody else.”
