News – EN

On May 20th at Perspective, the unique international Architecture and Interior Design Forum, Fabrizio Capolei, partner of the studio, will be the guest of the discussion panel: ‘“A slide on hospitality: how to approach a strategic sector for the valorisation of heritage , between structural complexities of assets, entrepreneurial needs and new design frontiers”
with 3C+T Capolei Cavalli, Artelia Group, Currie & Brown, Generali RE, Omnam Group, Settanta7, Starhotels, VGA Vittorio Grassi Architetto & Partners
moderation by Giovanni Franceschelli, Rizoma Architetture

“The Roman Palazzina, which for many years has caused distances, as if to underline a cultural detachment, instead reserves a high-level production with various architectural surprises. The evolution of this building typology becomes clear through the 60 years of history of our studio”, observes Fabrizio Capolei | Studio 3C + t.
“From the construction of buildings for rich families we led to an enormous quantity of construction, which in the 80s and 90s became districts – says Fabrizio Capolei – In the first decade of the 2000s, the architecture magazines instead oriented the taste of client, moving it to designed and thought-out buildings, characterized by a certain degree of elegance. The use of materials also varies over time: from the plaster which later turned out to be fragile in conservation, to the exposed concrete which was difficult to restore, up to the reassuring and less delicate curtain which characterizes this typology up to the present day. The Palazzina becomes a must that surpasses isolated buildings.”
It is the evolution of the building that has created quite a few urban problems, when repetitiveness and speculation have engulfed the architectural quality of the designers, eliminating any possible research on facade, corner, overlooking and floor plan solutions. Over time, in fact, the building becomes a tower block, ready to swallow up the landscape and break the boundaries of the urban to the detriment of the countryside.
From 1945 to today, the majority of Rome’s building heritage has been built and the Palazzina has become decisive in the composition of the contemporary city, up to the present day with more or less successful examples.

An importance, that of the hospitality of our country, also highlighted by the award given to The Rome Edition of Rome as winner of the “Hotel Design Award”. Widmann, president of the jury, reasoned as follows: “The resurgence of post-Covid travel has benefited the entire hospitality and tourism sector, but luxury and high-end hotels in the most attractive tourist destinations and cities will probably have benefited the most. It is therefore fitting that the three finalists of this year’s Hotel Design Awards all belong to this segment. The finalists are three extraordinarily well-crafted examples of a new breed of luxury hotel in the city: traditional in the sense of comfort they offer, but eccentric and sexy in their interpretation of modern luxury.” Furthermore, for Widmann, the Rome Edition sets a new standard in the Italian capital. Sophistication, attention to detail and high design aesthetics make it a meeting place for Romans and travellers. The hotel is located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Rome, a few steps from Via Veneto, one of the most refined shopping streets in Italy, immortalized in La Dolce Vita and an icon of Italian charm in all its splendor.

On 16 June 2023, the usability of shopping centers was also discussed at the Area M association in Rome. The architect Fabrizio Capolei, partner of our firm, spoke about the accessibility problems.

In recent years, the usability of shopping centers has become a crucial aspect for attracting and retaining customers. Shopping centers that can provide an accessible, convenient and enjoyable environment for all visitors are more likely to succeed in today’s market.The usability of shopping centers refers to the ease with which people can access, use and benefit from such facilities. This concept involves several aspects, including physical accessibility, service offering, overall user experience and inclusiveness. Shopping centers have always played an important role in everyday life, offering a wide variety of services and products under one roof. However, in recent years, the usability of shopping centers has become a crucial issue, as society has evolved and consumer needs have changed. Physical accessibility:
The usability of shopping centers depends on their geographical location and access to public transport. It is important that shopping centers are located in areas easily reachable by the target population, with good road connections and adequate public transport services. The presence of adequate parking, public transport services and pedestrian infrastructure are key factors in ensuring easy access to a shopping centre.

Good design and an intuitive layout can significantly improve the visitor experience of a shopping mall. The layout of stores, accessibility to elevators or escalators, as well as clear and understandable signage can facilitate navigation within the shopping center, making it more usable for people of different ages and abilities. The usability of shopping centers is a critical element in meeting the needs and expectations of visitors. A multidimensional analysis that considers accessibility, design and layout, variety and quality of offer, customer experience and environmental sustainability can provide valuable information for improving the overall usability of a shopping centre. The ultimate goal is to create welcoming, accessible and sustainable spaces that offer an enjoyable and satisfying experience to visitors. The usability of shopping centers also depends on the overall experience offered to visitors. This includes a logical layout of spaces, clear signage, accessible parking, rest areas and adequate services. Additionally, the overall atmosphere of the mall, including elements such as lighting, furnishings, cleanliness, and the feeling of safety, contribute to the user experience.