The a.r.p. studio founder

Chiara Renée Podbielski founded A.R.P. Studio in response to a growing understanding of neurodivergence — and the recognition that as awareness deepens, so must the way we design the spaces people live in. When we acknowledge that individuals process, organise and experience the world differently, it becomes clear that our homes require a more thoughtful, responsive approach. This shift ultimately benefits everyone.

The studio’s ethos was shaped by her own experience of transforming an unconventional one-bedroom, three-level apartment into a calm, high-performing home for her neurodivergent family. In that process, aesthetics alone were never sufficient; every square metre had to be intentional, structured and emotionally grounding. It reinforced a core belief: thoughtful design can make even the most unlikely spaces function beautifully.

Raised around architects and with a background in sustainability and social entrepreneurship, Chiara approaches interiors through the lens of care — for people, planet and the daily rituals that define how we live. She combines natural materials, considered layouts and intelligent storage to create homes that restore rather than require constant management.

"Every project begins with listening. My job is to understand how you live, what slows you down, what lights you up — and then design spaces that bring you joy and allow you to land, rest, and reset."