Designing an Office Space in a Palace

Italy is home to numerous palazzos, or palaces, once inhabited by nobility. Today, many of these grand estates have been repurposed into prime office real estate. But how does one transform a space built in the 16th century, replete with architectural constraints and historical preservation requirements, to suit 21st-century needs? 

Such was the challenge faced by Simone Ierardi, the lead architect and one of the founders of CIRCOLO-A, the design firm commissioned with renovating a space on the third floor of Palazzo Giulio Pallavicini in Genoa, Italy. The client, Switzerland-based Ecom, a global leader in green coffee trading, was expanding its customer service presence in Genoa. For its new space, the company sought a productive yet comfortable environment with home-like elements to stimulate creativity and camaraderie.  

Spatial construction and interior design by CIRCOLO-A for Ecom avoids any sentimental nods to the palace’s Baroque heritage. Photo courtesy of Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo.

The resulting spatial construction and interior design by CIRCOLO-A for Ecom avoids any sentimental nods to the palace’s Baroque heritage. Instead, it embraces a modern, eclectic aesthetic that harmonizes beautifully with the historic yet still opulent building. 

I had the opportunity to discuss the project details with Ierardi via video call. “Our aim was to craft a space that seamlessly integrates functionality with aesthetics, a place where individuals feel at home and can thrive,” he explained. 

Without using a drop of drywall, Simone Ierardi and his team solved the problem of creating differentiated areas by implementing an efficient floor plan augmented by clever design strategies.

The client had requested distinct zones within the total 250 square-meter space: operational areas for sales and accounting functions, a somewhat formal space for meetings and presentations, and an informal area where employees could gather, relax, and dine with one another and guests. Ierardi’s background in both residential and commercial design complemented these needs. 

However, there were constraints: Permits were required for any wall removal or construction, which would have delayed the project for six months, conflicting with the client’s need for a working office space as soon as possible. 

The company sought a productive yet comfortable environment with home-like elements to stimulate creativity and camaraderie.

Without using a drop of drywall, Ierardi and his team solved the problem of creating differentiated areas by implementing an efficient floor plan augmented by clever design strategies.  

Let’s take a tour.  

We walk first into a small reception area intentionally painted a sophisticated sky blue to “bring the outdoors in,” Ierardi said. (The same sky blue repeats in the operational areas.) 

Stepping through another door, we arrive in an area flooded with natural light and offering panoramic views of Genoa’s architectural splendors. This is the heart of the office – the place where Ierardi was particularly challenged with creating distinct spaces without building walls.  

The client had requested distinct zones within the total 250 square-meter space: operational areas for sales and accounting functions, a somewhat formal space for meetings and presentations, and an informal area where employees could gather, relax, and dine with one another and guests.

In the center of this visually open area is a comfortable living-room-like environment. Flanking this center space is the somewhat formal meeting room to the left, and an informal dining room to the right. Three distinct spaces, yet they maintain a fluid, open feel. 

Within this layout, Ierardi uses color as his first strategy in creating separate zones. Specific hues were chosen to uplift and inspire.  

The “gathering room” is painted a warm, creamy color – except for a portion of wall adorned with framed wallpaper repurposed from a past Ecom office space. The wallpaper, a vivid tropical scene, inspired many of the paint and furnishing color choices throughout the office. In this gathering space, comfortable sofas and chairs in shades of orange, light blue, and teal invite people to have informal conversations, share ideas, and relax.  

A small reception area was painted a sophisticated sky blue to bring the outdoors in.

The adjacent meeting and dining “rooms” are painted a light jade and a sunny yellow, respectively. These areas offer a certain symmetry in size and location, and in that both have tables to convene at. The matching white tables are surrounded by rose-colored chairs in the meeting space and light-blue chairs in the dining space. 

Ierardi cleverly divides the meeting, gathering, and dining areas not only by using different colors on the existing walls but also by using floor-to-ceiling, custom-made glass and wood partitions.  

Ierardi cleverly divides the meeting, gathering, and dining areas not only by using different colors on the existing walls but also by using floor-to-ceiling, custom-made glass and wood partitions.

“They separate the space into three ‘rooms’ without obstructing line of sight or flow of natural light, and they allow interaction between the areas,” he said. 

In turn, these dividers repeat his color choices: the meeting-room divider is painted the same sunny yellow as the dining room and pops against the light-jade walls; the dining-room divider is painted a deep jade and pops against the yellow walls. The dividers also provide delicate shelving for small plants and bric-a-brac. 

The CIRCOLO-A team carefully considered lighting needs, designing the space and specifying solutions for optimal visual comfort.

A kitchen adjacent the dining room was designed to blend with the entire office and is fully equipped, including with a device to roast coffee beans. Italians love their coffee, Ierardi explained, and he said the roasted beans then allow a technique called “cupping” in order to create exceptional tazze di caffè. 

On the opposite side of the office, away from any cacophony in the kitchen, are the sales and accounting spaces. Framed maps and wall art add visual interest in the sky-blue rooms. Custom-designed white desking made of powder-coated iron – and connected with cable management solutions – provides a clean aesthetic for heads-down work. Panels between the desks use Snowsound technology to absorb noise, aiding in productivity. 

Natural light, mainly from the windows facing southeast, traverses the entire space thanks to the glass partitions.

“The custom furniture and partitions play a pivotal role in achieving the desired ambiance. We collaborated closely with craftsmen to create pieces that married form and function,” Ierardi said. 

The CIRCOLO-A team also carefully considered lighting needs, designing the space and specifying solutions for optimal visual comfort. Natural light, mainly from the windows facing southeast, traverses the entire space thanks to the glass partitions. Artificial lighting is provided by LED lamps, ensuring uniform and comfortable illumination. A serpentine-shaped LED light coils along the ceiling. A fun neon light spelling out “Ecom Coffee” adorns a wall opposite the windows. 

The entire office is anchored by floors of a light wood-grain laminate. Indoor plants, widely distributed throughout various areas of the office, contribute to a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

The entire office is anchored by floors of a light wood-grain laminate. Indoor plants, widely distributed throughout various areas of the office, contribute to a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. 

All the elements collectively establish a delicate geometric structure and organic simplicity – diametric to the building’s Baroque style. 

“Despite the challenges posed by working within a historical building, my team found creative solutions to meet our client’s needs while respecting the integrity of the architecture,” Ierardi said. 

The transformed space in Palazzo Giulio Pallavicini demonstrates how innovative design can transcend time and style.

The transformed space in Palazzo Giulio Pallavicini demonstrates how innovative design can transcend time and style.
All the elements collectively establish a delicate geometric structure and organic simplicity – diametric to the building’s Baroque style.
Permits were required for any wall removal or construction, which would have delayed the project for six months, conflicting with the client’s need for a working office space as soon as possible.