With 16 suites, 3 private apartments and a total of 52 unique rooms, the 16th-century Palazzo Nani has been converted into a 5-star hotel, becoming the fourth Italian property owned by the Radisson Collection Hotel group. The building is located in the sestiere of Cannaregio in Venice, just a short walk from the historical Ghetto.
The conversion project was led by the practice Studio Marco Piva, which created an interior design “attentive to formal and material choices, colours and textures, aiming to create a new sophisticated scenography that would contribute to the magnificence of the city”, says the architect.
The residence, which still carries the name of the aristocratic family it once belonged to, has served various purposes over the years, including a military barracks and later a school. Now, after a meticulous restoration that also preserved frescoes and wooden beamed ceilings, the palazzo has been revived with a profound respect for the Venetian tradition. Inside, everything evokes the essence of Venice, from the colour and decorative palettes inspired by the city to the use of woods reminiscent of the famous “briccole” – the traditional wooden posts serving as channel markers in the Venetian lagoon – and the incorporation of Murano glass details.
Even the marbles, with their eye-catching veins (such as Palissandro Nuvolato and Bardiglio Nuvolato) are designed to evoke the movement of water and the ebb and flow of the lagoon. The furniture, almost entirely custom-made, is self-standing and versatile.
“The project for Palazzo Nani, which I had the privilege of overseeing, skilfully blended the historical and artistic value of the palazzo with a meticulous aesthetic exploration of its spaces, materials and artistic elements,” explains project leader Jennifer Bassani.
“The result is a seamless blend of innovative design and materials with the emotional and social value of the restoration, highlighting original architectural details, enhancing the frescoes and referencing the building’s historical nature through contemporary elements. It’s a marriage of past and future, where everything has been carefully considered and designed to echo the city and its rich historical heritage.
“For the bathrooms of the 52 rooms, we selected Kerlite 6Plus Bianco Luce ultra-thin ceramic slabs in a 120×120 cm size from Cotto d’Este. These slabs combine the elegance of natural stone with outstanding strength and durability. The unique configurations of the bathrooms reflect design choices that integrate modern elements with historical references. The Touch finish, with its matt surface, offers a pleasant tactile experience, while the light tones of Bianco Luce evoke the veining of classic marble. Meanwhile, the choice of Lithos in the colour Stone recalls the earthy hues of the facades of the lagoon city.”
For the floor, washbasin and bathtub area, the architects opted for Kerlite Vanity, a collection inspired by elegant and minimalist marble surfaces with subtle patterns, delicate veining and soft chiaroscuro decorative effects. In contrast, the area around the shower, WC and bidet features large-format slabs (120×260 cm) from the Lithos collection, chosen for their stone-like texture and perfect continuity with the rest of the space.
Kerlite was selected specifically for its reduced thickness, lightweight properties and material content, all of which were essential characteristics for preserving the integrity of the historical structure. In addition, Bassani notes, “the slabs are easy to cut, allowing for precise adjustments and simplifying site logistics, which in turn reduces environmental impact.
“Quick and easy installation is another advantage, particularly in a delicate environment like Venice. Both collections are part of a line treated with antibacterial protection, thanks to silver ions incorporated into the tiles, and come with sustainability certification – factors that are extremely important to us at Studio Marco Piva, especially given our longstanding involvement in the hospitality sector. Our experience has taught us the value of offering innovative solutions that not only come up to the highest aesthetic standards but are also highly functional and meet the extremely rigorous quality requirements of the prestigious international brands we collaborate with.”
