the story behind: soho house, rome
image by soho house
the realization of a project as grandiose as soho house rome, our latest addition in europe, replete with a screening room, soho health club, and a rooftop, is marked by numerous pivotal moments. Each decision, like pieces of a puzzle, contributes to shaping the house's character and stands as a tale explaining the origins of its most noteworthy design elements.
"a lot has changed," reflects alicia meireles, Senior Interior Designer at Soho House, when discussing the four-year construction project spanning 10 stories, comprising 49 bedrooms and 20 apartments. "the brief evolved, and with it our vision. by the end, our team didn't even need to talk; we instinctively knew if something embodied the spirit of soho house rome”.
from the revelation that Italian manufacturers seldom produce wooden flooring (prompting a shift in the original timber floor plans) to the serendipitous discovery of an olive-green car by nick jones on the street outside, which became the house's primary color palette, the journey to soho house rome has been replete with twists and turns.
images by soho house
selecting san lorenzo area, rome
"you may not be familiar with san lorenzo – an up-and-coming area that diverges from the traditional historic center that typically comes to mind when picturing this iconic city.
san lorenzo boasts a substantial student population, imbuing it with a youthful and vibrant atmosphere that stands in contrast to the more touristy areas. the neighborhood's budding art scene adds to its distinct character. admittedly, it retains a rough-around-the-edges charm, but we were drawn to this uniqueness. given the location, we aimed to embrace this rawness within our design.
when one thinks of Italian design, glamour, maximalism, and history usually come to mind. while we paid homage to these elements in certain aspects, we sought to infuse a more graphic sensibility to honor the neighborhood's artistic presence. this is evident in bespoke patterned textiles adorned with wavy lines and geometric shapes, as well as the striking, vibrant mural on the rooftop”,
images by soho house
determining key materials
"our houses often incorporate upcycled materials to cultivate a lived-in ambiance. reclaimed timber, extensively used for flooring in our club spaces, was initially intended for rome.
yet, after discussions with nick and the building's original developer, it became apparent that sourcing such flooring in Italy was exceedingly challenging. we aimed to preserve an authentic feel, so we reevaluated our approach, focusing on materials that Italy excels in.
terrazzo, with its distinctive speckled and fractured appearance, is abundant in Italy and possesses depth of character and color, making it a stunning choice for bedroom flooring. similarly, travertine, which we used for the main club's flooring, is readily available in the country.
print plays a significant role in soho house decor. however, we encountered difficulty in finding Italian manufacturers capable of producing textiles in our style. Instead of importing fabrics, we collaborated with a factory in sardinia to craft the hanging tapestries that conceal the tv’s in the bedrooms—a delightful compromise."
images by soho house
defining the details (turi’s favourite part)
"we didn't initially intend to establish a specific color palette for the house, but the story of how one emerged is quite captivating. during a visit, nick ventured outside onto the streets of san lorenzo and spotted a stunning car painted in a particular shade of olive green. he was so enamored with the color that he declared it would define the identity of soho house rome. consequently, we adjusted all our fabrics to align with this car's hue.
throughout the house, you'll predominantly encounter shades in the spectrum of green, red, and some yellows, establishing the core color palette for the space. these hues tend to be rich and warm, drawing inspiration from various eras, ranging from the 1920s and the art deco period to the 1960s and 1970s."
source: pinterest
information sources: soho house, all images rights: soho house