Break is power
Location: Rome
Area: 290 Smq
Client: Private
Project time: 2024
Within a substantial portion of an office building in Rome, we have conceptualized and realized a refreshment zone dedicated to the users of the complex. This project is part of a broader renovation and enhancement plan for the property, which has also seen the revitalization of the ground floor entrance area. The new refreshment area serves as a complementary service to this. The intervention space is enclosed by a continuous ribbon of windows that floods the interiors with natural light, illuminating both the expansive public open space and the food preparation area reserved for staff, which are separated by a vertical masonry partition.
The design of the refreshment area clearly defines the different spaces: the entrance, the bar/distribution area, and the table/consumption area.
The entrance is marked by a lightweight screen constructed from vertical wooden slats extending from floor to ceiling, allowing a view into the bar and the adjacent seating area. The flooring further emphasizes these distinct zones, featuring taupe vinyl in the bar area and cream vinyl with taupe patterns in the consumption area.
The bar counter, approximately 10 meters long, is equipped with various technical modules for displaying food items and a designated cash register space. Behind the counter, the wall separating the kitchen is adorned with visible refrigerators for beverages, various appliances, and shelving for storage. The counter boasts a dynamic design, characterized by diagonal lines that enhance its footprint and a textured front facade.
The materials selected resonate with the overall aesthetic of the project: crisp white, which is also reflected in the walls; contrasting black for the metal structures of the seating and tables, as well as for the suspended ventilation channels and window frames. Honey-coloured wood accents the surfaces of tables and seating, the bar counter, and the aforementioned entrance screen.
Acoustic comfort has also been a focal point, crucial in large, high-traffic areas prone to significant reverberation and noise amplification. To address this, ceiling-mounted panels made of mineralized red fir wood bonded with white Portland cement have been installed, produced by Celenit.
Linear light fixtures span the ceiling, seamlessly blending the spaces with warm, enveloping illumination that contributes to creating a soothing and welcoming environment.
