Chairmen of the Board

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2008 12:00:00 AM

firms: officina del disegno, amdl, architetto luca braguglia
site: rome

Five years in the making, the renovation of Rome's Palazzo della Esposizioni opened with proper aplomb last fall. The 19th-century building, refurbished by architects Firouz Galdo of Officina del Disegno and Michele de Lucchi of AMDL, reaffirmed its longstanding role as a site for cultural exchange by hosting an exhibition of works by American painter Mark Rothko—the largest ever installed in Italy. The renovation's program was designed to reorganize the building's interiors, rendering them more amenable to frequent visits. Furnishing the inviting new spaces are pieces by Poltrona Frau Group, which includes Cappellini, Alias, and Gufram.

Poltrona Frau stamped its mark on the reception and exhibition areas with 20-foot-square minimalist benches, composed of Corian bases and leather-covered cushions. A 90-seat theater in the Multifunctional Centre configures Lella and Massimo Vignelli's Pitagora armchair, in gray leather, into ultra-comfortable auditorium seating.

Under a glazed ceiling, the restaurant and café-bar, designed by Architetto Luca Braguglia, is a showcase of contemporary design stars, including Tate series chairs and Elan sofas by Jasper Morrison; Marc Newson's Orgone tables and Felt chairs; Big Shadow floor lamps by Marcel Wanders; Altavilla tables from Studio Cappellini; and Intervita arm chairs by the Vignellis. 212-777-7591; frauusa.com. circle 401

2008 FALL MARKET TABLOID – SEATING

Don't miss our other 2008 Fall Market Tabloid seating features:

• Clear Comfort
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• Body and Mind
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• Laugh Lines
  United Kingdom–based Korean designer Baek-Ki Kim does not believe that one need sacrifice humor to achieve a sleek aesthetic...

• Seating
  See the newest in seating design, chosen by the editors of Interior Design.+ SlideshowSee the full 2008 Fall Market Tabloid.