Rinascente Rome

This commission called for a completely bespoke food retail and dining environment. There are no buildings high or higher than Rinascente, so blurring the boundaries between the internal and external spaces is key to the concept. The bar and cafe lead on to open terraces with some of the most spectacular views across the City. Food market retail in addition to restaurant, bar and cafe are unified by a regular grid that frames internal and external space with varied infill elements. The ceiling grid inside is infilled by open coffers with filled with gently waving translucent louvres diffusing natural and artificial light. The canopies over the terraces use fabric sails to provide shading.