Projects
Florentine hospitality
Elisa Montalti
Soenne-Architekturfotograf
Cornelia Markus-Diedenhofen
FLORIM
2016
Housed in the former residence of a wealthy family in Florence’s old city centre, the Boutique Hotel Cerretani MGallery by Sofitel is surrounded by splendid renaissance buildings. Located close to the Duomo and the basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the seventeenth century building is now home to a luxury hotel which serves as the perfect base for a splendid vacation in the Tuscan city. Following a restoration project that took great care to preserve the original decorations and the characteristics of the historic architecture, the four-star hotel displays all the beauty and sophistication for which Florence is renowned. In particular, the project sought to respect the history of the existing building while adapting it to the comfort and aesthetic requirements of modern hospitality. High-quality materials, sophisticated furnishings and a meticulously designed lighting system further accentuate the character and qualities of the building.
In the hotel reception, the designers used high-quality, visually-appealing materials to create a warm, welcoming ambience. In particular, the wood-panelled walls are beautifully carved to house the recessed lighting system and create a sophisticated play of light on the surface. The wood theme is maintained in the floor tiles, which consist of oak-effect porcelain from the Selection Oak collection by Rex. The 15×90 cm Brown Oak coloured planks laid in a staggered pattern coordinate perfectly with the elegant wood wall panelling and with the splendid gold-painted vaulted ceilings. Delimited by a frame structure that performs both a decorative and a technical function, the curved ceilings are further accentuated by a beam of light originating from fixtures set into the frame. The floor combines outstanding technical characteristics with a nature-inspired aesthetic. The vibrant surface reflects the surrounding light and accompanies guests as they walk through the hotel.
The Boutique Hotel has 86 elegant, sophisticated rooms, including 1 suite. The bathrooms are oases of wellness cloaked in pale colours and a pattern reminiscent of marble. The tiles used for the wall coverings are from the I Bianchi series by Rex, chosen in a 30×60 cm size and colour Calacatta inspired by the eponymous marble extracted from the Carrara quarries. With its pure ivory white background and thin grey-beige veins, the original marble was extremely popular for use in stately homes in the past but has now grown scarce after being quarried for centuries. Thanks to today’s innovative porcelain technology, this material’s aesthetic qualities can once again be used in a variety of applications without depleting natural resources. This sophisticated stone-effect tile is produced in the single dominant colour white – the colour of purity, the archetype of the absolute and of light.
In the bathrooms, large mirrors reflect the delicate veins of the marble-look surfaces, enhancing the reflections and magnifying the sense of space. The shower enclosures are tiled with these pale-coloured porcelain panels to create a warm, exclusive space.
Rex, Selection Oak collection, I Bianchi collection
porcelain stoneware
15x90 cm, 30x60 cm
Water absorpion (ISO 10545-3): 0,08%
Chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): UA - GA
Resistance to deep abrasion (ISO 10545-6): 140 - Cl. 4
Stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant
Frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant
Modulus of rupture and breaking strength (ISO 10545-4): 50
Slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9
Thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant
Crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant
Linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant
LEED