Zaha Hadid Brings Futuristic Lens to Baroque Rome Hotel


Outlined by its elaborate articulation of grandeur and complicated curvature, the seventeenth century Baroque type was carried out as a counter Protestant Reformation measure supposed to attract the plenty again to the pomp and circumstance of the Catholic Church. There’s maybe no place the place this method was deployed with extra fervor than in Rome, Italy. The traditional metropolis is a palimpsest of historical past like no different. Traces from varied eras of growth and bust are evident if one is aware of the place to look.

Sadly, quite a bit has been misplaced or coated up in favor of effectivity and different nefarious goals. Like so many Renaissance buildings of its type, Palazzo Capponi all however misplaced its unique Baroque interiors when unceremoniously was a authorities constructing throughout the Fifties. Tasked with its adaptive reuse transformation, powerhouse London agency Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) labored to revive what would turn into Romeo Resort Roma’s meticulously painted ceiling and wall frescos earlier than introducing its distinctly futuristic – and parametric – contact. With ZHA not content material to only recreate a disingenuous facsimile, this juxtaposition is each visually interesting and genuine; working alongside the strains of patronage: the age-old custom by which expert artist and artisans had been referred to as as much as outfit grand edifices – like this one – with extremely detailed ornamentation and flex their inventive muscle groups in doing so.

Portal entrance of Palazzo Caponi Picture: Jacopo Spilimbergo, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

“Rome’s architectural historical past will be learn in its masonry vaults, from the Roman, by means of the Renaissance and Baroque intervals, into the 18th Century,” says Paola Cattarin, the ZHA challenge lead chargeable for the excellent conversion. “We took inspiration from this concept, to make a brand new interpretation of vaults and their intersections. All of the totally different rooms, right down to the furnishings, are designed with this idea.”

Modern hallway with marble walls and geometric ceiling design, leading to an arched glass entrance. Floor features curved line patterns.

Gallery entrance Picture: Picture: Jacopo Spilimbergo, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

One enters by means of what was initially a courtyard – an area now coated by a retractable glass roof – earlier than a grand staircase reveals itself off to at least one aspect and leads as much as the remainder of this system. “Typically, the mobile group of the property promotes repetition, modular design, and the economic paradigm widespread in motels worldwide,” Cattarin explains. “Completely different areas within the palazzo’s pre-existing footprint favored an individuated reasonably than systematic design method; adhering to the Italian custom as a tradition of the craftsperson’s hand and the artist’s signature. The phrase disegno (design) itself is derived from the verb segnare (to signal). Our three-dimensional method to type facilitated a stage of idiosyncrasy reflective of Italy’s artisanal custom.”

A modern interior with a gold, sculptural ceiling resembling scales, marble walls, and sleek black furniture. The design features curved elements and ambient lighting.

Reception Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Elegant restaurant interior with dark wood-paneled walls, arched ceilings, and tables set for dining. A framed picture hangs on a wall, enhancing the sophisticated ambiance.

Bistro Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern restaurant interior with round tables set for dining, featuring sleek, reflective ceiling design and contemporary black chairs.

Il Restaurante Alain Ducasse Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Brass-ring vaults delicately delimit the general public areas’ lava stone and ebony flooring. On provide is likely one of the world’s most Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s Il Ristorante. Sicilian rock salt and tadelakt clad the partitions of the basement-level spa. Near 50 corporations had been concerned within the restoration of the palazzo; submitting 230 purposes for traditionally delicate alterations. Through the painstaking course of, a close to intact historical Roman wall was, unsurprisingly, exhumed. Reasonably than conceal this architectural artifact, it was rigorously preserved and programmed as an amenity.

Modern restaurant interior with dark, wooden ceiling and floor. Round tables with white tablecloths and black chairs are set elegantly. An open kitchen is in the background.

Il Restaurante Alain Ducasse Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Luxurious room with two leather chairs, a black coffee table, and curved wood-paneled walls with shelves holding decorative items. Marble accents and modern lighting enhance the design.

Cigar Lounge Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Interior of an archaeological museum with exposed ancient ruins, modern architecture, and skylights casting natural light on the site.

Archeology finds, below the clear water basin within the backyard Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern interior featuring dark wood paneling, a black chair with a beige cushion, a small round table with plates, and a wall-mounted TV in a sleek, reflective environment.

Premier Suite Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern bathroom with a large white bathtub, wall mirror, sink, and a closet with hanging clothes. The design features sleek surfaces and a minimalist aesthetic.

Premier Suite Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Spacious modern bedroom with sleek wooden walls and flooring, a large bed with white bedding, contemporary furniture, and ambient lighting. Large window with a sheer curtain.

Premier Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Every of the 75 visitor rooms are worlds onto their very own; tailored with abundance and intensified materiality in minutes however with gentle as a sobering adjoining. Lots of the carried out finishes – Carrara Statuarietto and Nero Marquina marble paired with Makassar ebony, cedar, and chestnut woods, in addition to Porcelenosa’s engineered Kiron stable floor – have the added high quality of acoustic attenuations, serving to to drown out the noise of Vespas zipping by exterior. Suites on the piano nobile stage are imbued with the aforementioned seventeenth century frescoes. These on larger ranges include balconies and terraces framing panoramic views of the encompassing metropolis.

Modern bedroom with a curved glass partition separating a freestanding bathtub and wooden interiors, featuring a bed, wooden floor, and soft lighting.

Premier Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Luxurious modern hotel room with polished wood furnishings, a large bed, a sleek design featuring smooth curves, and ambient lighting.

Deluxe Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Mattress frames that undulate from their 45-degree orientation into built-in nightstands, lacquered completed paneling with close to anthropomorphic formulation, and wildly striated archways with iridescent sheen are the icing on the cake; decidedly future-forward interventions that evoke the abundantly ornamental nature of the historic type evident in restored particulars. This refined decadence additionally alludes to the bohemian nature of the encompassing space. “Piazza del Popolo was the salotto of Rome within the Fifties and ’60s. Federico Fellini and Marcello Mastroianni often met on the Bar Rosati,” say, Alfredo Romeo, the founding father of Romeo Accommodations who oversaw the listed vacation spot’s metamorphosis for effectively over a decade.

Modern wall-mounted fireplace with a sleek, curved black hood against glossy wood paneling, emitting a small flame with logs.

Deluxe Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

A pair of black high heels on a glossy wooden shelf with underlighting. Above the shoes, a black and white striped fabric hangs.

Deluxe Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

A modern closet with wooden panels containing various jackets and robes on hangers. Below are neatly folded white towels. A small desk is partially visible on the left.

Deluxe Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern hotel room with two twin beds, glossy wood paneling, and a sleek desk. A small table holds champagne glasses, and natural light filters through a large window with sheer curtains.

Deluxe Twin Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern bathroom with wooden paneling, a white freestanding tub, glass-enclosed shower, and a vanity with a chair. A potted orchid and artwork are on the counter.

Superior Room Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern interior with ornate coffered ceiling, curved staircase, and a brown sofa. The room blends classical and contemporary design elements.

Fresco Suite Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

A bedroom with a large bed, beige bedding, and elaborate wall and ceiling paintings. The room has warm lighting and a dark wood floor.

Fresco Suite Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Luxurious hotel room with ornate ceiling and wall frescoes, featuring a modern bed, neutral bedding, and a plush chair on dark wood flooring.

Fresco Suite Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

Modern gym interior with wooden ceiling and flooring, featuring various exercise equipment like weights and machines, lined up symmetrically along the walls.

Fitness center Picture: Chris Dalton, courtesy of Romeo Assortment

What: Romeo Resort Roma
The place: Rome, Italy
How a lot: Rooms beginning at $2,600
Design attracts: A completely restored Renaissance-era palazzo in heart of Rome with Baroque inside totally restored and translated by means of Zaha Hadid Architect’s equally exuberant futuristic design vocabulary.
Ebook it: Romeo Resort Roma

Go nearly on trip with extra design locations proper right here.

Images courtesy of Romeo Assortment.

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based author specializing in collectible and sustainable design. With a selected deal with subjects that exemplify one of the best in craft-led experimentation, he is dedicated to supporting abilities that push the envelope in varied disciplines.



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