Hotel Ripa
The project for the Ripa Hotel has evolved piecemeal over fourteen years as a series of interiors in an existing residence hotel of the 70s and its gradual conversion to a 4 star all suites design hotel. The Ripa Hotel was one of the first in Rome to move away from “Classic-Modern” styling to up-front modern contemporary design.
Entrance Lobby and Reception
The entrance lobby is developed as a single fluid space connecting the entrance to the reception desk crossing the entrances to the restaurant (to the right) and the conference room the left.
"Restaurant and Bar"
This was the first built interior design project we did as a studio in 1997. It consisted of turning the existing breakfast room and separate corner café into an open plan space articulated by fixed and moving furniture that connected the main lobby of the hotel on one side with the street on the other. It thus became a venue not only for hotel guests but outside visitors too.
"Standard Suite"
The benefit of starting with a room that was a residence apartment is exploited by removing all internal divisions and high furniture to maximise the room size. The “cupboard” is left open behind the bed-head. The “pebble” carpet (to our design) designates the various zones of the room.
"Junior Suite"
These suites are located at the corners of the building. Their generous size has been increased in this design by demolishing most of the internal partitions. The bathroom becomes an integral part of the room by opening up the separating curtains. The design of the bed “Pipa” as an isolated object in the middle of the room was made especially for this open plan solution.
"Penthouse Suite"
The roof section is rouded off to become continuous surface with the floor finished with epoxy resin. The furniture, the “Pipa” bed, side tables, writing desk, and trolley as well as the lights, are all designed by us.
"Restyling of the exterior facade"
The idea was to take the existing facade (above)and “vacuum-pack” it in a tensile membrane (see sketch models lower left). The project was developed as a full-scale prototype on one corner of the building, but no further.
