CASA ITALIA | Rio Olympic games 2016
Secondome curates the interior design project of Casa Italia @ Costa Brava Clube in Rio de Janeiro
The historical Costa Brava Clube, in Rio de Janeiro, designed in the 60’ s by renowned architect Ricardo Menescal, is set to host Casa Italia, the CONI and Italian Institutional Headquarters during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. For the first time, and as the name suggests, Casa Italia is the result of far reaching project that aims to highlight Italian excellence through and through- from the world of sports to that of design; a showcase of the craftsmanship that lies behind the label “Made in Italy”. Beatrice Bertini’s Concept Horizontal, is extended into an art and design project, with Bertini and Acciari responsible for developing the arts and Claudia Pignatale the interior design.
The fusion and synergy of these talents, transform Casa Italia into a lighthouse, a ship, an island, that fine line defined as the horizon – that separates earth from sky – and leaps into the unknown. The ambitious goal of Project Horizontal, is to promote Italy in all her authenticity to an international public, through the use of iconic images and objects that have turned Italy into an historical cultural reference point. In effect, Concept Horizontal exemplifies a style, a horizontal approach to considering and embracing all the activities that will take place in this location as forms of art, be they: objects, images, furnishings, hospitality or cuisine. Italy has laid her bets on making the Costa Brava Experience Unique, through the collaboration of prominent figures and labels from very different walks of life. Artists and partners fully represent the excellence of Italy and Brazil, a virtuous contamination between the two cultures which results into a contemporary, unique and welcoming setting.
A location that persistently recalls the links between the two countries, starting from the long bridge that connects the mainland to the sea cliff on which Casa Italia is perched on, and upon which Vedovamazzei’s work of art stand out: “+39” tricolored neon’s, a physical representation of Italy’s international dialing code using the colors of the Italian National Flag, to the “Towards you” sign, by the duo Bianco-Valente that represents the drawing closer to Brazil.
These masterpieces are connected through a long brightly lit line, specifically made for Casa Italia, by ILM-Lighting. The experience continues, with Pietro Golia’s unique “Welcome” (sign), pointing the way to the main hallway that hosts works of art from Guendalina Salini’s “The end of geography” collection, further juxtaposed by the iconic “Bocca” sofa, a 1970’s design piece by Studio 65 for Gufram -in the shape of a mouth.
Davide D’elia’s Installation ‘Antivegetativa’ leads to the restaurant: A spacious and panoramic area with floor to ceiling glass walls overlooking the ocean. Here, carefully arranged and alternating “Vidun” and “Quadrato” tables, both designed by Magistretti for De Padova, inspired by the structure of screws and in a minimalist and quasi Nordic looking style – exemplify Italian functionality and craftsmanship.
The translucent, gold and topaz embroidered “Gina” chairs by Jacopo Foggini for Edra, glitter as the immense natural light beams into the venue and accentuates their beauty. The “Big Louie” 3D printed chandeliers, by David Nosanchuk for .exnovo, hung from the ceiling, reign and dominate the room. Specially designed ILM lighting, enhance works of art that adorn the walls, pieces from: Massimo Bartolini’s “Untitled”, Gianfranco Baruchello’s “Dove guardano le statue” Paola Pivi’s “La bellezza sta negli occhi di chi guarda” and “Atalanta e Ippomene” by the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz – an iconic piece both for its setting and the mythological reference: a race between Atalanta, the virgin huntress and her suitor Hippomenes who defeated her by cunning, not speed and thus succeeded to win her hand in marriage.
The choice of venue for Casa Italia, a site integrated but perched on the top of a sea cliff, leads to a natural choice of furnishings for the lounge: Francesco Binfarè’s for Edra “On the rocks” sofa, that forms a relaxed and inviting archipelago and Emmanuel Babled’s “Etnastone” coffee tables, made from Sicilian volcanic stone, that lie dotted around the room.
Throughout the lounge through to the bar area, Francesco Simeti’s “City of Gold” wallpaper lines the walls, reconnecting and recalling the Brazilian Favelas and industrial suburbs. Carefully chosen “La Lollo” suspended lamps by Slamp, carefully trace and illuminate the journey from the lounge to the bar. Looking onto the lounge, lies a cigar bar with stone lined walls, furnished with Francesco’ s Binfarè’s for Edra “Sfatto” sofas and “Favelas” armchairs also designed for Edra by the Campana Brothers – notable Brazilian designers.
The Bar counter, bar/coffee tables are designed and produced with Brazilian wood by Stefano Marolla, carpenter and cabinet maker. The small, covered roof terrace is a peaceful corner in which one has the sensation of being immersed in the surrounding nature, further emphasized by the colors and style of: Edra’s shimmering blue “Standard” sofas, bright red tulip-line “Getsuen” chairs and the Campana Brothers “Brasilia” tables. The small, intimate Meeting room hosts the poetic artwork “Aurora” by Mario Airò, specifically commissioned for “Project Horizontal”.
Giuseppe Gallo’s “Prismi” sculpture, towers over the roof garden which is carefully lit by Nobile lighting and finely furnished with “Summertime” benches by Valerio Berruti for Gufram”. The external lounge, facing the ocean and furnished with “Standard – Cloud” and the “Flap” sofas by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, is a tribute to the Italian Olympic Team motto: “ready to fly”.
Francesco Simeti’s distinct wallpaper, “Chantal” chandeliers by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas for Slamp and “Bojour Milan” coffee table by Atelier Biagetti, completes and complements this area, that resembles a private and secluded area of the sky.
The open areas–the big terrace and the spa area–are furnished with several pieces of differentEthimo’scollections:“Costes”, “Elit”, “Swing”and“Village”.Light is the essential element to linklandscape,architecture, art and design.
The project,developed by theFabertechnica team, lead by Marco Frascarolo,to make Casa Italia a contemporaryspace, very unique andwelcomingis structured on different levels, related to the different possible points of view. Some moreintense and defined signs of light,areused to give a whole view of Casa Italia from afar, while the interiorsand some external spaces have a softer and more rarefied feeling, to create comfortable and cozy spaces.In those spaces, an excessive use of spectacular lightingwas avoidedon purpose: the light is used to addvalue to the works of art and design, key players of Casa Italia.
Secondome
SecondomeDesign Gallery is a design platform that focuses on worldwide emerging designers andinnovative projects. The Gallery dedicates its installation space to the design works it hosts; each piece, as acollection or limited edition series, speaks louder thanwords in its whimsical nature of subject versusmaterial. Mostly handmade products, honoring the craft and practice of contemporary artisanship, reflect thetraditional values of design whilst breaking the mold of lifeless objects d’art. More than just a gallery,Secondome Edizioni, since April 2008, has also established itself as a brand by producing its own collectionof design objects working closely with its designers. Emphasizing on a Made in Italy brand, most of ourproduction is hand-crafted locally.Secondome works have been displayed in some of the most importantmuseums of the world: The Vitra Museum in Germany, The Shangai Museum of Glass, The Grand Hornu inBelgium, La Triennale in Milan, The New Museum in New York.
Technical Firm
Fabertechnica
Fabertechnica is an innovation technology Lab, specialized in Lighting Design. Founded and coordinated byMarco Frascarolo, engineer and lighting designer, the company has developed specific expertise on culturalheritage and exhibition spaces, along withurban and garden lighting, with a strong attention to the eco-saving and dynamic light management.Fabertechnica develops integrated light-audio-video systems in IOT (Internet of things) environments, whichcan be applied also in the specific field of Retail, Hospitality and Entertainment. Among their most recentworks, we can mention the new lighting project of the Sistine Chapel, the San Francesco Basilica in Assisi,the Luneur Park, beyond the guidelines of the new lighting project for the Coliseum inRome.
Partners
Edra
Edra is a leading Italian company in the international design, specialized in sofas. Its collection is timelessbecause inspired by solid values. The research, combining artisanal Tuscan tradition with global innovation.
Theknowledgeable craftsmanship, transforming serial products in unique pieces. The most advancedtechnology. The richness and variety of the materials. The modularity and universal utilization, adapting tomultiple settings.
De Padova
Maddalena De Padova, a pioneer in the design, is the first to introduce in Italy in the ’50s Scandinavian design and later in the’ 60s to produce products designed by Eames, Nelson and Girard for Herman Miller.Since the early 80’s introduces its own collection designed by top Italian and international designers including Vico Magistretti, Achille Castiglioni, Dieter Rams and many others. Since April 2015 the company was acquired by Boffi.
Kartell
Kartell, the leading design company founded in Milan in 1949 by Giulio Castelli and now managed by president and owner Claudio Luti, has been a symbol of progressive Italian design for over 65 years. Its story is one of success, told through an incredible series of products-furniture, furnishings, lighting, tableware, fashion accessories, home fragrances and bath furnishings-produced in top quality plastic materials and designed by the most influential designers in the world.
Today Kartell has 140 Flagship Stores,300 Kartell Shops, 1000 corners and more than 2500 retailers in 140 countries.
Gufram
Since 1966 Gufram produces icons of design that have taken unique form and value through its contamination of the industrial design approach, artisanal craftsmanship, and creative flair of visual artitself. Gufram brought the italian radical design to the world.
With its experiments inaesthetic,technological and material research, it has created seating and furniture that have entered the history of decor: playful,subversive and irreverent products with aPop spirit,Rock piecesdeliberately conceived to beAnti-Design.The limited edition pieces such as the Bocca sofa, Pratone chaise longue, Cactus clothes hangers,and Capitello armchair-to name a few-are held in the most important museums in the world as MOMA inNew York, Centre Pompidou in Paris, Museum of Applied Art inSydney, Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal,Triennale Design Museum in Milan and many others.Slamp“Slamp is the invention of a drawing that takes shape and transforms in design, moving from two to three dimensions, through the magic of light.” (Cit.Livia Peraldo Matton, Editor-in-chief of Elle Decor Italy).
Formore than 20 years, Slamp has captured the most recent architectual and natural stimuli, taking note and designing lamps Made in Italy. Every productis recognizable and original; each is hand-constructed with patented technopolymers, and includes the latest LED technology, mixed with the creativity of well-known international Archistars, including Zaha Hadid and Fuksas.
exnovo
exnovo is the young Italian brand leader in the production of decorative lighting through the use of 3Dprinting techniques: collections of exclusive lamps, custom objects and bespoke projects, specific andunique, designed and developed specifically for the customer and its space. All products are made in Trento(Italy) and are the result of an innovative and skillful manufacturing combination of professional 3D printing technology and traditional hand work / manual processes.
For further information please contact us
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”2″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]