Meet Luca, the UK Preconstruction Manager bringing architectural experience and a focus on relationships
Luca Tesio joins Staticus as Preconstruction Manager for the UK market, bringing his deep understanding of façades in the UK construction industry. Luca has been working in architecture for 15 years, 11 of those in London. As a Senior Project Architect on One Exchange Square, a major refurbishment project in the City of London, he gained first-hand experience of working with the Staticus team for more than four years. Hailing from Italy, Luca is a great addition to our diverse international team, having studied in Belgium and the US, and worked in Spain.
We chatted with Luca about the importance of building relationships, why an early engagement in project planning is vital in the current UK construction climate, and why Staticus’ forward-thinking approach is exciting.
What is your initial role, and how do you plan to make it your own?
This role emerged from discussions with Staticus’ CEO Aušra Vankevičiūtė and Aaron Dehara, UK Regional Director, about the need to identify and engage developers, architects and other influencers at the earliest possible stage of a project. In simple terms, it is about driving sales in the UK by further strengthening our project pipeline and ensuring we engage earlier in the process with key decision makers to improve our bids and ultimately our hit-rate.
The essence of this role is much more than just managing numbers, it is about relationships. I see it as aligning the core values Staticus brings, like its end-to-end value chain and focus on sustainability and innovation, with the needs of the market. Having worked directly with the Staticus team on the One Exchange Square project, I know what the company has to offer and the quality of their work, and I will be ensuring that clients are aware of this. Additionally creating a bridge between clients, designers and operations will ensure that projects are set up for long-term success.
I aim to focus on bringing a different perspective that is not purely technical, while also relying on my background in architecture. I want to build strong relationships and ensure our approach is tailored to client needs. This close collaboration and early-stage engagement will also help with de-risking projects.
Why did you choose Staticus? What makes it a unique place to work?
I experienced the Staticus team up close during my work on One Exchange Square. It already has a reputation in the industry as a future-focused innovator that promotes sustainable offsite solutions. I became aware that the Staticus team is always aiming to improve – they ask for feedback and are looking for ways to grow as a company, and in terms of culture.
Staticus is a company that is thinking a lot about how to shape the future of our industry, which is important for me. Carbon targets are becoming fundamental in our market, and it’s exciting to be somewhere that is thinking big on this topic. Of course, there is a long way to go, but having a strategy for becoming carbon neutral is already a big step. I’m also interested in how Staticus is embracing AI’s potential. I definitely believe AI can be further integrated in the workflow, helping to de-risk projects and provide a better service for clients.
Another factor that attracted me is that Staticus is an international company with roots in different markets. This means it brings to the UK market insights and experience from Scandinavia and other European markets. As someone who comes from Italy, has lived in the UK, and studied in Belgium and the US, Staticus feels like a company I want to be part of because it is an international company with a diverse team.
What excites you the most about your role?
What excites me most is the opportunity to influence projects right from the start, identifying opportunities, developing tailored bid strategies, and building lasting client relationships. Connecting the people in our industry will be a very exciting part of this role. I really enjoy sitting down together, sharing insights and absorbing information, and then trying to see where the gaps in the market are.
It is an interesting moment for our industry in terms of how different professionals relate and work together. Historically, the architect had the “master builder” role and everybody turned to them for answers. Today, because our industry has become so complex and technical, that is no longer the case – architects need the support of other professionals. This can be consultants, but it’s exciting for me that contractors can also increasingly play this role and enable clients to be a bit more “consultant-free.” We can engage early and share our expertise. The idea is also to avoid multiple handovers with the project becoming a package that is passed from one contractor or consultant to the next.
What opportunities do you foresee, particularly in the market?
The UK construction industry is in a rather unique moment, with the new regulations brought in through Building Safety Act (BSA) and the ongoing effort to minimise carbon in projects impacting the sector significantly. These dynamics bring opportunities for enhancing early-stage project communication. I believe Staticus is uniquely positioned to offer support in this respect. We have the expertise to navigate tighter regulations, and the innovative services and products to support clients who are prioritising energy efficiency, lifecycle value, and sustainable solutions. For example, Staticus’ low carbon HUF and ongoing exploration of sustainable façade materials are bringing something new to the UK market.
For early engagement and support to work effectively, it is important to enhance communication so it is clear. There should be a seamless flow between the design and production stages with no barriers. By being dynamic and effective partners, and by promoting our innovations that can de-risk projects, we can ensure Staticus remains top-of-mind when strategic projects are being planned.
What personal aspirations do you have as you take on this role?
My aspiration is to establish myself as a trusted partner for clients and a reliable leader within Staticus. I want to contribute to measurable business growth. This means expanding our project pipeline and enhancing the company’s visibility through high-quality, sustainable projects.
This role is a transition for me, and I can see that it will take time and work to adapt to it and reach the right level of confidence. In the longer term, I aim to take on a broader leadership role where I can help shape strategy and contribute to Staticus’ vision of innovation and sustainability in the façade industry.
I’m also motivated by the chance to mentor and support teams, ensuring we continuously improve processes and raise the bar for how we approach the preconstruction phase. For the past few years, I have worked with young architects to support their professional development, and I look forward to doing similar at Staticus.
Could you share a bit about your life outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy family activities. We have a small baby, so that is another learning curve for me, but also something that makes me very proud and gives a boost to my personal life. I believe being a father will also bring some renewed energy to my professional life. It requires you to be resilient and overcome challenges.
Overall, I love learning and exchanging ideas. I am always curious about our industry and ready to absorb new information. I enjoy networking and attending industry events – these allow me to connect with people and stay inspired by the latest trends shaping our field.