set architects

Located in the heart of Rome, within the 15th-century Palazzo Taverna, the Casa Platform Roma project is a multifunctional and versatile space designed to host events and serve as a workplace for Platform architecture magazine.
Covering approximately 100 sqm, the space is defined by its considerable ceiling height—around seven metres—with a central hall featuring a vaulted ceiling and adjoining rooms with timber-beamed ceilings. Over time, the space had been altered by previous uses, including an art collector’s warehouse and a fashion atelier, which introduced various superfluous additions compromising the original layout.

The renovation removed a mezzanine from the central hall, restoring the vaulted ceiling to its full prominence. In contrast, a new steel mezzanine was added to the service area, housing a bedroom accessed via a bespoke spiral staircase. The client requested a hybrid space with a domestic character, respecting the historic nature of the building while expressing a contemporary take on Roman identity, capable of hosting both work activities and meetings with architects and professionals.

The design approach retained the existing architectural shell, preserving the original cement flooring and introducing clay finishes to emphasise natural textures. Bespoke metal furniture with brass finishes was introduced to create a contrast between the historic envelope and the contemporary insertions. The use of metal—referencing materials from ancient Rome intends to bridge the past and present. The spiral staircase, crafted from metal to a custom design, acts as a sculptural centrepiece visible from various vantage points within the space.

The guest bathroom, clad entirely in red-toned marble mosaic, offers a surprising focal point that echoes the hues of the cement flooring.
Finally, the outdoor garden—home to mature banana trees—was redesigned with bespoke night lighting and a new floating dark ash timber deck that concludes in a stepped seating area, allowing for informal outdoor meetings.