Rocca Boutique

By Editorial Staff - 2 May 2024
Barth Innenausbau has participated in the project

Nestled within the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a heartbeat away from Piazza del Duomo and La Scala theater, is a striking new Rocca boutique dedicated to a renowned watch brand. Meticulously restored by ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the store offers customers an immersive journey within a space that seamlessly honors the stylistic essence of its prestigious location. Every architectural detail and fixture exudes harmony, a meticulous curation in which barth’s pivotal contribution shines through, elevating the boutique’s appeal. Honoring the historic significance of the boutique, the restoration preserved its façade, structural integrity and original volumes. Inspired by the neo-Renaissance esthetics of the 1867 Galleria, the redesign takes an approach that leads customers on an unparalleled shopping journey in which the ground floor serves as a welcoming reception area that pays homage to the motifs, geometries and Venetian terrazzo flooring of the Galleria, while the upper floors are transformed into inviting retail spaces reminiscent of a Milanese living room.

The carefully curated palette of colors and materials, featuring burnished brass, leather and walnut as key elements, strikes a harmonious balance between the rich historical essence of the space and the distinctive brand identity of the showcased products. In particular, brass – used in the bookcases, niche frames, handrails and panels of the entrance – accentuates certain details of the dressers, the sales table (dominated by a hand-blown glass chandelier) and the freestanding furniture, including the watchbar, creating a perfect combination with the leather-covered shelves of these furnishing accessories. Equally effective is the combination of this leather cladding with walnut, as seen in the quick service counters.

The craftsmanship of barth shines through in the realization of numerous display cases, both freestanding and wall-mounted, underscoring the firm’s broad-ranging skills and its unwavering commitment to realizing the client’s vision. Each of the three levels within the space features meticulously crafted elements designed to enhance and showcase Italian craftsmanship. Even the walls were decorated with luxurious materials, including Navona travertine, silk wallpaper and wood veneer panels with a distinctive “cannelure” groove design. Meanwhile, the elegant staircase that gracefully connects the levels is adorned with a terrazzo floor, further accentuating the refined esthetic of the space.