Xavier Vilalta grew up in a small Catalan village. Growing up among apple trees and alongside his grandmother, a fashion designer, he developed an early balance that still shapes his work today. With a father in business, a mother who taught with patience, and a grandfather who often said, “stop, look, understand,” Xavier learned early that creativity and structure can work together.

These foundations followed him to Barcelona and later to Chicago, broadening his vision while keeping him rooted. For him, architecture begins with listening: understanding a place, its people, and its story before designing anything. The “why” of a project always comes before the “how.”

Curious by nature, Xavier draws inspiration from art, reading, and meaningful connections. He sees trends not as fleeting fads but as reflections of humanity’s evolution. Even when exploring emerging technologies like AI, he defends the human spark: AI can assist, but it should never replace creativity.

Music also plays a central role in his life: if architecture grounds people, music frees them. Over time, Xavier has learned to overcome perfectionism, delegate, and embrace the beauty of imperfection.

Proud to be an architect from Barcelona, he envisions cities that are more humane, walkable, and in harmony with nature. His journey reveals a creator guided by humility, curiosity, and a profound respect for the stories that places and people have to tell.

Xavier Vilalta is the Managing Director of Vilalta Studio, you can connect with him on Instagram @xaviervilalta and through his LinkedIn.

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Idriss’ work is fueled by purpose: tackling unfairness, supporting SMEs, and reducing barriers to opportunity. The leadership style that Idriss follows elegantly  balances responsibility and humility. From a young age, he competed at the national level across sports such as table tennis and judo, before going pro in basketball. Basketball,  in particular, has shaped his mindset, where he honed his ability to  balance  teamwork with decisive executive action. These early lessons have seamlessly translated into his later success in the  world of startups, where timing, strategy, and execution determine success.

Beyond performance, Idriss reflects on belonging. Although he has lived in cities across the globe including San Francisco, Dubai, and now Barcelona, he finds that he feels most grounded in the place he first called home in the South of France.  Here,  surrounded by mountains and nature, he returns to his truest self, resetting before continuing  to grow his company and impact with Flow48. 

This episode offers an intimate look into how both immediate execution and higher purpose intersect in Idriss’ life,  from his experiences on the court, in startups, and beyond. It’s a story of leadership that doesn’t just center individual success, but brings to the surface the key elements of leadership with a deep purpose.

Idriss Al Rifai is the co-founder & CEO of Flow48 (www.flow48.com) you can connect with him on LinkedIn

If this episode of Sprezzatura sparked something for you, follow the show and leave a quick rating or review so more people can discover it, and share it with a friend or colleague who would enjoy the conversation
 

🎧 Listen & subscribe to Sprezzatura on all platforms where you listen to your podcasts
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📺 Watch our episodes on YouTube and be sure to subscribe to the channel

🔗 Connect with Sprezzatura on 
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🌐 Check out our website www.sprezzatura.media

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🎙️ Sprezzatura is produced by The Amazingfull Circus check out their work on www.theamazingfull.com and reach out to them at [email protected]