A modern vision of luxury

In Parma’s Borgo Santo Spirito neighbourhood, architect Gianluca Vetruccio has converted a traditional office building into the distinctive Parco Ducale Luxury Rooms, a B&B offering a modern take on luxury, defined by fresh and contemporary elegance rather than lavish opulence. Situated on the ground floor of a building overlooking a courtyard, the B&B consists of an entrance hall with a kitchenette and two bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. “The concept was to give the B&B a unique character and create a wow factor through a modern, contemporary use of materials,” explains Vetruccio. Materials and colours play a key role in the interior, especially the floor and wall coverings for which various tile collections from Ceramica Marazzi were selected. In the entrance hall, wood-effect porcelain stoneware from the Treverksoul Neutral collection (certified by the Green Building Council and GreenGuard) has been installed in a Hungarian herringbone pattern. Small-size Crogiolo porcelain tiles from the Lume series (green with gold tones) were chosen for the nature-themed ensuite in the larger bedroom, while the smaller bedroom’s earth-themed bathroom features blue China tiles in a variety of shades from gold to black. Earth colours also appear in the concrete-effect Cementum porcelain tiles chosen in the colour Ash for the bathroom walls. “The historical essence of the building is emphasised through coordinated colours, especially in the bathrooms. We created niches in the closed arches of doorways that once connected to other rooms,” Vetruccio explains. “In the nature-themed bathroom we opted for a colour contrast between the green Lume series tiles and ochre tiles from the Momenti series, while in the earth-themed bathroom the blue Lume tiles are paired with burgundy tiles from the Ecclettica series,” explains the architect. Both bathrooms are equipped with WCs and bidets from the 4All collection by Globo Ceramica. The washbasin in the blue bathroom is from the Era series by Ceramica Cielo, in the colour coral, with mirrors by Nic Design, Pastille model in a brushed bronze finish. Custom-made furnishings are strategically placed throughout to optimise space and impress guests (e.g. the small shelf on the column in the large room). Decorative elements, like wallpaper by Rimura above pastel green lacquered oak panelling and bespoke bedside tables, enhance the aesthetic and are complemented by Panzeri bedside lamps with champagne gold cylinders. “I love to observe architecture, whether travelling or at home,” says Vetruccio. “There’s inspiration all around us, but I always try to reinterpret it within the context of the project. The challenge here was to achieve the right level of surprise, without overwhelming the design or clashing themes and colours. A well-thought-out moodboard is essential for us architects.”