The project involves the renovation of a small clothing boutique located on the ground floor of a stately palace facing one of the most prominent streets in the historic center of Scicli.
Access from the street is gained through a characteristic shared entrance hall, which leads to both the central staircase and the retail space.
The boutique’s owner reached an agreement with the building’s residents, obtaining permission to use the shared courtyard space as an extension of the boutique’s exhibition space in exchange for the restoration and routine maintenance of the common area. In practice, residents walk through an exhibition gallery to reach their apartments.
The concept of a “permeable boundary” became the narrative core of the project. Depending on the boutique’s opening hours, the line between public and private space shifts from the main entrance door of the palazzo to the threshold of the boutique.
The intervention centers on inserting a mirrored surface onto the screen wall that leads into the main retail area. This partition features a minimal structure made of slender black iron profiles and sheet metal that conform to the geometry of the vaulted ceiling, framing a tempered glass entry door at its center.
This mirrored wall, reflecting both the stairwell and views of the street, acts as the keystone of the project. It leverages perceptual distortion in the shared hall, inviting visitors to question the very existence of a physical barrier between public and private domains.
Subsequent design choices, aimed at enhancing the original architectural envelope, included cleaning the carved stone elements, polishing the existing black and white marble floor, and renovation of lime-based plaster.
Inside the boutique, an olive-green velvet curtain separates the display area from the fitting rooms. The interior floors feature a contemporary reinterpretation using a new pattern of black-and-white cement tiles.
The display and interior design, crafted by designer Angelo Sanzone, introduces carefully calibrated interventions into an already highly decorated environment. The display objects feature oversized geometries, vibrant colors, and tactile materials.
High-end velvet covers others vertical decorative elements on the walls, while functional items, such as garment racks and the display counter, are crafted from brass and Carrara marble.
