Interpretations of rest

Zanellato/Bortotto's project for one of the guest rooms at Villa Medici in Rome, the historic Roman seat of the French Academy

Il Cielo in una stanza, Villa Medici, Roma - photo © Daniele Molajoli
Il Cielo in una stanza, Villa Medici, Roma - photo © Daniele Molajoli

Il Cielo in una Stanza” (The Sky in a Room) is part of the “Restoring the Enchantment of Villa Medici” program. On June 13, 2025, this initiative, promoted by the French Academy in Rome, inaugurated the refurbishment and redevelopment of seven guest rooms and two historic gardens within the iconic villa. Following interventions by India Mahdavi, Silvia Venturini Fendi, and Kim Jones, this new phase involves teams selected through a competition, tasked with transforming a stay at Villa Medici into an aesthetic and sensory experience.

The concept behind “Il Cielo in una Stanza,” the bedroom designed by Zanellato/Bortotto in collaboration with Incalmi, is inspired by an imaginary stroll through Rome’s architecture and colors. The custom-made double bed, bedside tables, and sofa bed, crafted by Bolzan‘s joinery, seamlessly integrate into the room’s architecture. The room is bathed in the wisteria blue of the walls and features a balustrade and staircase made of white refractory clay.