10 Questions with… YODEZEEN’s Artur Sharf

The Sierra House is a family oasis growing in an architectural couloir.

Ukrainian architect Artur Sharf originally cofounded the firm YODEZEEN at age 22 in Kyiv with his partner Artem Zverev. Fast forward many years later, the studio, now based in Miami, has more than 200 people, with projects underway all around the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Miami, Spain, Aspen, New York City, Warsaw, and, of course Kyiv. The firm’s design language is about refined luxury that eschews trends and is instead timeless—everything from private residences, high-end hotels, offices, and restaurants. In addition, Sharf and Zverev also started TEYO, a new brand that specializes in sustainable marble and natural stone from Italy. TEYO will open its first every showroom in Miami this spring, and it will also serve as YODEZEEN’s Miami headquarters. Sharf sits down with Interior Design to talk about YODEZEEN’s origins and thoughts on their most recents projects.

Artur Sharf.

Artur Sharf Blurs The Line Between Art + Architecture

Interior Design: Can you talk about your original design language and what you wanted to say when you started the firm?

Artur Sharf: We went to university, liked this profession, and wanted to create something nice. My partner and I founded the studio YODEZEEN with the idea of creating bold projects, both visually and in terms of materials, forms, and implementation methods. What I’m proud of is that the foundation we established back then has carried through the 15 years and scaled to a level where we can bring any concept to life—from large penthouses and residential buildings to yachts. From the very beginning, we embraced the mantra of “dream big,” and it has served as a guiding light, continuing to steer us toward new horizons. It’s a passion. It’s also very complicated work if you don’t like it. I think regular people who just go every day to the office cannot survive if they don’t have a passion for their work. And I think it’s why we are successful—because we like what we do. And it’s never work.

Outside facade of the Sierra House in Kyiv, Ukraine.

ID: You had never been outside of Ukraine, and suddenly you were going to all sorts of new places. Did this shift your perspective about design?

AS: Yes, 100%. Going to university gave us a foundation, of course. But the real creativity, ideas, colors, materials—a lot of it comes from travel. And this is how we understand what people need. When a new restaurant, hotel, or condo opens—we try to go there. And we can see what they did well—and what is not done well—and analyze. We want to see the best places in the world, analyze it, and figure out what will be a success tomorrow. We always stay one step ahead.

The discreet pink exterior of the Harbour Club in Miami. Photography by Joe Thomas.

ID: Tell us about the process of moving to the States?

AS: After working in our home market, Ukraine, we quickly began expanding into the United States. We knew it would be a different environment, so we took the time in the early years to study and learn. Now, nearly eight years after our first project in Miami, we have experience in various states, working on both residential and commercial projects. With the opening of a 6,500 square foot physical office in the Miami Design District at 25 NW 34th Street, we are deeply rooting ourselves in the U.S. architecture and design market, building modern projects that we are excited to share.

ID: You have become very successful in the States and worldwide. What’s your secret?

AS: There is no secret. We started small and worked very hard. In the beginning, no one will give you a big project. You start with a small apartment and, little by little, you begin to get larger projects. Growth is slow, and each project takes a long time—to get from paper to reality, and then construction. It can take like four years. And then you have to put the project out there, which can take time before people see it. Eventually, you have more to show the world what you can do, projects that you are proud of. We have grown a lot in nine years. We have talent, of course, but that’s not enough. There are a lot of factors. Yes, you need talented people around you, but you also need to be precise, to be in control.

YODEZEEN was tasked with creating an interior that would not only complement LaNoma’s Italian-inspired menu but also embody the restaurant’s philosophy of fostering community and connection through shared meals.

ID: How is it different and what did being in a place like Miami bring that was special?

AS: I feel free here. Many people who come to us are from somewhere else, too. Our work is roughly 40% in the US, 40% in the Middle East, and 20% in Europe. One thing I find is that there is more paperwork here than in other places. America likes a lot of paperwork. Permit after permit, so many documents for everything. But it’s becoming easier. Our local team has learned a lot in eight years. But Miami—and America in general—is also more open. If an idea makes sense, you can explain it to people and get their approval. You can make things happen and realize your ideas.

ID: You have opened a separate company from YODEZEEN called TEYO that offers sourcing, design, fabrication, and installation of natural stone. Can you tell me about that?

AS: We’ve worked a lot in stone over the last seven years—and have done a lot of custom projects for our clients—so we decided to make a furniture collection and materials brand using marble, travertine, onyx, limestone, and more. Last September, we opened a 6,500-square-foot showroom in Miami that will serve as an exclusive showcase for the designs—as well as a design studio, sales office, and lounge in the Design District. It was founded by me and Matthew Auerbach. We wanted to create things that interpret and enhance the beauty of the stone while maintaining its natural look, to serve as a new reference point for architects, designers, and developers to help realize projects of the highest caliber.

Nikai at Harbour Club. Photography by Joe Thomas.

ID: Your design for the Harbour Club in Miami is based on traditional European social clubs. How did you combine that vibe with the Miami scene?

AS: The Habour Club founder, James Julius, who has worked on places like the Dorchester Hotel and Annabel’s in London, had the idea to create a restaurant and private club with a mix of the two cultures and aesthetics. For the Habour Club, there are three different experiences that combine the coastal beauty of Miami with a more international feeling. The first floor is inspired by open spaces typical of beachfront homes: minimalist, with light oak and linen, soft blues that remind you of the sea. The VIP room is more intimate and private. It’s more European/Italian, with velvet upholstery, dark wood, and marble—all in dark green and warm metallics. The second floor is for nightlife, with Miami energy and bold, dynamic colors—deep red, electric blue, gold—and reflective surfaces for a clubby feel.

ID: You still do work near your native Kyiv. Can you talk about a recent project there?

AS: We did a private residence near Kyiv that was finished last summer called “Sierra House”. It’s in a rural region and is about 8,200 square feet with a bold, modern design. We wanted to push boundaries and redefine what a residential design could be. By integrating raw natural materials like basalt, corten steel, and glass with high craftsmanship, we were able to blur the line between art and architecture. We used sharp lines and cubic forms to create something confident and strong that invites wonder. Custom furniture and carefully-planned interiors with a blend of organic textures create an allure that draws people in. We wanted to balance comfort, elegance, and functionality. The house is very much part of the landscape as well, and its placement in nature was considered from the beginning. Large terraces offer places that are both relaxing and let residents and guests take in the beautiful surroundings.

The Sierra House is a family oasis growing in an architectural couloir.

ID: You recently finished a project in Fort Lee, New Jersey, for LaNoma restaurant. What were the challenges with that project?

AS: It can be difficult to get people from Manhattan to come to a restaurant outside the city. But the owners wanted to have a cozy, family place that was as good as something you’d find in New York. They asked for an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven and grill. The ceilings were about 18-feet-high, so to make it more intimate, we put in some beams and a lot of greenery in the form of olive trees. We put in a sliding glass system so you can open it in summer and people can eat outside. To make the space feel warmer, we used brown leather seating and stained oak accents., and incorporated a subtle leaf pattern into the decorative plaster walls. The bar and open kitchen are surrounded by white and grey marble from TEYO. The place is a big success.

ID: Why do you think the LaNoma project worked out so well?

AS: It is, of course, very expensive to open a restaurant. There are so many people involved. You have to buy furniture, equipment, plus food and a lot of wine. So, sometimes people will try to save money by not spending a lot on the design and interiors. That is why there are so many bad restaurants. Our philosophy is that you have to take the risk. You’re already spending so much. And I think a restaurant with a good interior as well as good food will survive much better. People often cheap out on materials, but it’s not a lot in the scheme of things. You need to do everything the best in order to survive.

To make the space more intimate, YODEZEEN added olive trees and brown leather seating.