The House of Peroni opens its Grade II listed doors again to a whole host of Italian talent tomorrow, and we recently dropped by for a sneak preview. From fashion installations by Simone Rainer to daily changing soundtrack designs by music maestro Jean, each room in The House will contain its own immersive aspect. Including visual art by Quayola and Michelin-starred ‘edible art’ by The Costardi Brothers, experimental cocktails by Gerry Calabrese and cinematic offerings by Lucas De Santis (among others) – you really have yourself a contemporary Italian style extravaganza.
In command and by ‘physically interfering’ is Italian-born and London-based architect designer Andrea Morgante, having been asked by M&C Saatchi and Peroni to realise the space with focus on interaction and engagement, he says he has merely “created a conversation”. “The house has a very strong identity, for me it was important for the visitor to experience the dialogue between the existing and the new contemporary. Often overlapping, the design installations keep the conversation gentle, visible and transparent. This includes my installations, sometimes they act as backdrop and sometimes they stand alone. It’s all about the dialogue and collaboration”.
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Setting up his own architectural practice Shiro Studio in 2009, the 2013 RIBA European Award Winner has worked with the late great Jan Kaplinsky at Future Systems, and industrial designer Ross Lovegrove on sustainable projects. Sensitivity and materials in relation to ones environment appear the key consideration in his designs, and the House of Peroni is no exception. As the building is listed, a multitude of considerations lay ahead of his task. House-sensitive light materials such as silk, plastic and carbon fibre were then appropriated as part backdrop, part installation throughout the house.
Allowing visitors freedom to engage by moving through his installations, Morgante’s own ‘diaphanous forest’ is the epitome of this ideology. From the hexagonal structure attached to the ceiling, 90 sheets of fabric drop at different lengths into the space. As the piece hangs, guests will need to navigate its layers to discover fashion and digital installations inside the translucent maze. While truly immersing yourself in this group show, an exciting and experimental food and cocktail menu is promised. I’m hearing tea and coffee will feature in the libations so while you sip and gawk, the experience will become all the more engaging.
The House of Peroni will be open day to evening and is free to all. Tickets for the various dining experiences are selling fast so we suggest booking soon. Art and style aside, various lounge areas – including an ambient dark blue cinema room, focussed on “combining the finest food with the finest cinema” – food from noon, drinks and free WiFi will be on offer until 30 November. The house will act as part gallery, part home and part public space that invites the visitor to hang-out ‘within’ art and creativity rather that alongside it or behind a roped barrier. This is what I like about Morgante’s vision for the November residency – democratic creativity. It really encourages you to discover, to touch and to consume by surrounding yourself in Italian style.
Another example of the all-encompassing ethos of The House is the cinema room just off the main ‘kitchen’. “A dark blue room which is pertinent in terms of darkness and light. A kind of lounge furnished with really big comfy sofas and low lights. You are allowed to take the food in and watch some films. It’s about combining the finest food with the finest cinema in the most comfortable way”.
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Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
Photo © We Heart
All other images courtesy Peroni
