Bloomberg Rome
New reception area
Bloomberg's Rome office is located in the historic Palazzo Valadier, at the end corner of via del Babuino overlooking Piazza del Popolo and the Pincio Gardens.
The project had to negotiate a series of challenges presented by having to move within the confines of a landmarked building.
The design brief called for a reconfiguration of the entrance area, which required a surgical intervention in a very confined space, with limited freedom of movement within untouchable structural walls, building staircase and elevator.
Functional requirements were dictated by an upgrade of security and access technologies, as well as a minute evaluation of available space to improve circulation and increase a sense of welcome for employees and visitors.
At the same time, this small space is the first impact with the Rome office, where a global brand wants to meet its local roots.
One of the specific client requests was for a contextualization of the space, in order to connect to the local cultural elements that signal you have arrived at Bloomberg Rome. Local clues came from materials, details and colors that are found in similar contexts as well as in the art and frescos that adorn palaces and churches of the same period. The strongest design elements are a walnut wall paneling assembly and the deep blue reception desk, a reference to the blue Roman sky as well as to the hue found in many frescoes. The wall paneling frames vintage black and white images of Rome from the Alinari archive, showing among others Palazzo Valadier in the forties. The desk is a study in efficiency having to contain communications technology, a multitude of equipment and storage space.
Lastly, the chosen floor material, slabs of Calacatta marble, refers to noble Roman residences.
The resulting esthetic deliberately moves away from the most common workplace design typologies, with the intent of establishing an emotional connection for both visitors and daily users, creating a sense of place and arrival.
Interior design: Marta Laudani
Collaborator: Stefano Ragazzo
Bloomberg: Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, Global Head of Design; Christiaan Hiemstra, Project Manager
Main contractor: Edile Ma.Da.Si Srl, Gorle (Bergamo)
Vintage black and white images: Alinari Archives, Florence
Lighting: e15, iGuzzini
Photo: Gionata Xerra – September 2016
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