Discover the seamless blend of Soho House Rome’s distinctive architectural design, its mentorship-driven philosophy, and the powerful, thought-provoking performance that brought together diverse artists to explore identity, expression, and transformation.
Words DOMENICO COSTANTINI
Soho House Rome: A Creative Refuge in the Heart of San Lorenzo
A Sanctuary of Design, Art, and Community in Rome’s Creative District
Nestled in the vibrant San Lorenzo district, Soho House Rome stands as a beacon of design, culture, and creativity. Located just a stone’s throw from the Sapienza University, this 10-story building on Via Cesare De Lollis serves as a gathering place for artists, creatives, and professionals seeking inspiration, collaboration, and connection.
A Design That Honors Italian Craftsmanship
Soho House Rome was thoughtfully designed by the Soho House Design team, who seamlessly blended industrial aesthetics with Roman elegance. The exterior features travertine cladding, with Critall-style windows and balconies, drawing inspiration from the Pastificio Cerere Foundation and the artist studios of San Lorenzo. Inside, locally sourced materials such as leather and hand-crafted glass highlight the house’s commitment to Italian craftsmanship.
Interior Spaces: Luxury and Functionality Combined
Soho House Rome offers a variety of spaces for its members, each with its own distinctive character. From the rooftop to the gym, every area is meticulously designed to serve both function and style.
Rooftop: Located on the 10th floor, this space offers panoramic views of Rome. The pool, adorned with red tiles, is surrounded by loungers and patterned umbrellas, evoking a Mediterranean ambiance. The restaurant and bar, featuring burgundy and green sofas, are enhanced by a large mural by Gio Pistone and lemon trees that further connect the space to the Italian spirit.
Screening Room (8th floor): This 42-seat theater features plush velvet seating and a weekly program ranging from new releases to indie films.
House Gym & Cowshed Spa: Located between the 7th and 8th floors, these areas are dedicated to well-being and fitness. The gym is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and guests can also enjoy outdoor training options. The spa offers exclusive treatments with the latest technologies.
Main Club (9th floor): The House Kitchen is the heart of Soho House, with its industrial design and marble accents. The Drawing Room, with its green walls and herringbone floors, offers a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, ideal for intimate conversations or informal business meetings.
Apartments: A Home Away from Home
The apartments, located on the 3rd and 4th floors, offer a perfect blend of functionality and Italian style. Available for extended stays (7 days or more), the apartments feature one- to three-bedroom layouts. Each space is furnished with vintage Italian furniture and custom-made pieces that evoke a classic Italian design sensibility. Fully equipped kitchens, wood floors, and plastered walls create a warm, inviting environment. Details such as Bitossi lamps, re-editions from the 1970s, add a touch of authenticity.
The Art Collection: A Journey Between Saints and Sinners
Soho House Rome is also a hub for contemporary art. Its collection, focused on Italian and Lazio-based artists, explores the theme “Saints and Sinners” through works that delve into the boundary between good and evil. Notable artists featured include Gianni Politi, Silvia Giambrone, and Elisa Montessori. Every space, from the rooftop to the apartments, is adorned with site-specific artworks, creating a constant dialogue between art and architecture.
The Soho Mentorship Program: Investing in the Creative Future
Soho House is not just a place; it is a concept that extends beyond its physical boundaries. In 2018, Soho House launched its Mentorship program for London’s creative community. Since then, the program has expanded across 21 Houses in Europe, Asia, and The Americas. In Europe, Routes In has scaled this initiative, facilitating mentorship programs in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Barcelona. Routes In is a non-profit foundation focused on diversifying the creative industry, by connecting those who have made it, with those who are on their way. In Rome, this program found its highest expression in the 2024 exhibition, “Awakenings, Echoes, and Illusions”, which took place on November 21st.
This performance, a fusion of visual art, music, and installations, marked a culminating moment for the mentees, who had spent months collaborating with their mentors to bring this extraordinary project to life. It was not just an exhibition of finished works, but a representation of growth, transformation, and inner exploration. Each artist brought their unique vision to the stage, creating an immersive experience that resonated deeply with the audience.
Natalia Lupo, architect and designer, opened the evening with her installation “Underground_Light,” which blended abstraction with physical form, reflecting the invisible connections between individuals and their environment. Her work marked the first step in an ongoing sensory journey that evolved throughout the evening.
Roberta Rech, with “Where the Fragment Meets the Body,” explored gender identity and social dynamics through androgynous bodies that challenged conventional norms. Her works sparked a profound reflection on identity fluidity and the tension between being and appearing.
Sara Casula, with her installation “Come un Cuore di Spilli,” examined the duality between desire and reality through a powerful visual metaphor, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility of existence and the tension between dreams and the physical world.
Miriam Dartey, with songs like “Lucrezia,” “Tutto a Posto,” and “Anna,” mixed RnB and Dance music to explore themes of sexualization and self-determination, while Ruben Spiga captured the experience through digital imagery that enriched the story, allowing the audience to engage through social media.
Maryama Hasanzade presented “The Psychological Torture One Will Self-Impose” with a performance blending painting and fashion design, exploring the intersection of identity and subconscious conflict. The unsettling beauty of her work resonated deeply with the audience.
Klara Mattstedt, with her capsule collection “Fragments,” examined the beauty of imperfection, turning brokenness into art. Her jewelry collection celebrated raw energy and the deeper narratives behind fractured surfaces, creating wearable art from urban grit.
Finally, Nicola Aliventi and Dafne Webster closed the performance with “Awareness on Me,” a burlesque-inspired piece that celebrated self-awareness through a symbolic shedding of layers. The movement and lighting reflected the transformative power of embracing one’s true essence.
“Awakenings, Echoes, and Illusions” was more than just an event: it was a collective journey of creative souls, a moment of profound reflection on the nature of being an artist in today’s world. The Soho Mentorship program, with its commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation of artists, once again proved its vital role in Rome’s cultural landscape, with Soho House Rome serving as the perfect venue for such transformative experiences.
