About Tarek Waked
Lebanese-born, Puglia-based architect and interior designer specializing in the restoration of masserie, trulli, and historic apartments, as well as the new construction of contemporary homes rooted in local tradition across the Valle d’Itria.
ETHOS
Tarek Waked is a Lebanese architect and interior designer based in Puglia’s Valle d’Itria. His work fuses historical reference with contemporary clarity to create timeless spaces. Style-agnostic by intent, he lets each client’s personality set the tone, then translates it into rigorous proportion, refined functionality and exacting craft—so that every project becomes a bespoke narrative rather than a fixed signature style.
APPROACH
Drawing on the character of historic architecture, he composes intimate, layered interiors where contemporary life unfolds within a restored shell. Eclectic yet disciplined, his approach balances restraint and warmth, elevating daily rituals through precise detailing and considered light. The result is a quiet, understated glamour that feels lived-in rather than staged.
EXPERIENCE
Tarek has led projects across Doha, Paris, Monaco, and Puglia, informed by years spent between Beirut, London, and Milan. His studio works with international clients on the restoration and transformation of properties in Puglia’s Valle d’Itria—often joining from the first viewing and guiding each project through design, technical development, and on-site coordination with local artisans and specialized makers.
This cultural range brings breadth, while his practice in Puglia keeps the work rooted in place: the architecture provides a calm, lasting framework, and each client’s life brings the space into focus. Beyond residential work, his interiors and objects extend into boutique hospitality and bespoke commissions.
BACKGROUND & PRACTICE
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) in Beirut and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Architecture from KU Leuven (Belgium). In parallel, he founded Tally Marks, an accessories label that extends his architectural language to the body through modular leather constructions and 925 silver pieces crafted by Italian and Lebanese artisans. Outside the studio, Tarek works with analog collage and has presented two successful solo exhibitions.