Deep in Rome’s Parioli neighborhood, the Dutch Embassy has just been reopened after two years of refurbishment and a major design upgrade. The Delft-based firm cepezed took on the challenge of turning a richly-decorated neoclassical villa from 1929 into a stunning contemporary edifice that’s a haven for embassy staff.
While the old building - in particular its white neoclassical facade (see above, left) was carefully restored - a later addition to the building received a radical transformation: it’s now clad in beautifully textured, lightly rusted Cor-Ten steel plates that make what’s new look old and worn, but utterly with-it. It’s the perfect solution for a city that’s 2760 years old.
The interiors were stripped down to their original frame to be completely rearranged and decorated with Dutch modern art (including works by Jan Cremer, Jan Dibbets, Louis Copier, Carel Willink, Aline Thomassen, Fons Brasser, Charlotte Dumas and Hannes Wallrafen), so that the building’s lobby is a study in sleekness, with metal stools, glass tables and sculptures.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Via Michele Mercati 8, tel. 0632286001.
