The guest room designed by Zanellato/Bortotto in collaboration with Incalmi for Villa Medici, the historic home of the French Academy in Rome.

Villa Medici is a splendid Renaissance palace that overlooks the city of Rome from the Pincian Hill. Since 1803, it has been home to the French Academy, an institution founded in 1666 that welcomes artists, creators, and researchers in residence each year, while also hosting exhibitions, talks, concerts, and festivals.

"Restoring the enchantment of Villa Medici" is the title of a renovation program launched in 2022, aimed at promoting contemporary design by bringing it into dialogue with historical heritage and Italian craftsmanship. Under the direction of Sam Stourdzé, the program began with the refurbishment of the reception rooms curated by Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi, and continued with the redesign of the historic bedrooms by India Mahdavi. The most recent phase involved the renovation of the guest rooms:"We entrusted six rooms at Villa Medici to teams of architects and designers who worked closely with artisans, fostering a spirit of dialogue across different disciplines," explains Sam Stourdzé. "The idea was to transform the experience of these spaces, giving them new uniqueness through a strong artistic gesture. Villa Medici is an extraordinary ground for experimentation."

The designers and artisan studios were selected by a jury of experts that included Alberto Cavalli of Homo Faber, Domitilla Dardi of Edit Napoli, Hedwige Gronier of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, Hervé Lemoine of the Mobilier National, Christine Macel from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, India Mahdavi, Isabelle de Ponfilly, and Sam Stourdzé from the French Academy in Rome."I find Director Stourdzé’s approach—and more broadly the French context—remarkably forward-thinking in its regard for artisans, who are referred to as 'les partenaires,' a term that emphasizes their importance to the project," says Patrizia Mian of Incalmi.

Among the selected projects is Il cielo in una stanza by Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto, with Incalmi as their artisan partner. Inspired by a walk through the city, Il cielo in una stanza draws on distinctive elements of Rome—from iconic travertine marble to the deep blues of the Roman sky. "As always in our practice, we like to start from the place itself. We sought to recreate, through materials, colors, and textures, the atmosphere you experience walking through Rome," says Giorgia Zanellato. A large green wall, clad in fire-enameled copper tiles, evokes the maritime pines. The bathroom is inspired by Rome’s fountains, while the kitchen reinterprets opus incertum and opus spicatum, patterns typical of Roman flooring, and the balustrades reference traditional sun-breaking brick screens.

"Like Balthus before them, Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto have succeeded in creating harmony and unity within the space," says Patrizia Mian. "By working with tones that echo the sky and nature, they create a striking sense of continuity between the indoors and outdoors, while every detail—from the lighting to the furnishings—blends in elegantly. "Sam Stourdzé adds: "The project subtly enhances the room’s volumes and natural light through a play of material geometries and color contrasts. Travertine, enameled copper, clay, wood, and velvet—all invite the eye and highlight the value of artisanal craftsmanship. The resulting harmony is truly remarkable!"

Incalmi’s role was not limited to production support—it was an active collaboration from the early pre-selection phase of the project, which officially began in January 2024 after a long series of preliminary meetings and discussions. As Giorgia Zanellato explains: “We do a lot of research into traditional craft techniques, seeking to reinterpret them through a contemporary lens. Material—and working with material—is always our starting point. That’s why dialogue with artisans is essential from the very beginning: there must be skilled hands and a receptive mindset. ”Following the selection, Incalmi developed the design for the enameled tiles covering the concave wall, taking into account the site-specific constraints, and went on to produce 616 enamel-coated copper pieces, crafted in the color and finish specified by Zanellato/Bortotto, and delivered within the timeframe agreed upon with Villa Medici. "At Incalmi, we found a thoughtful, dynamic, and inspiring partner. We've had an ongoing dialogue for several years now, and our shared vision continues to evolve," concludes Giorgia Zanellato.