Palazzo BN is an iconic example of conservative restoration carried out with cutting-edge technological materials, including Laminam.
In little more than a year, architect Lucia Bianco and engineer Luciano Ostuni carried out a thorough renovation, following the restoration down to the smallest detail: “As if we lived there”. The project represents a recovery project that combines private entrepreneurship, public interest and local workers, returning the former Banco di Napoli not only to the tourists who will inhabit it, but also to the Lecce citizens who will be able to experience its spaces and enjoy an architectural asset of immense value.
The project originates from the historical headquarters of the bank Banco di Napoli, a mighty building in the city centre of Lecce inaugurated in 1930. In 2009, entrepreneur Renè De Picciotto acquired the property and initiated a far-sighted renovation and reconversion process entrusted to architect Lucia Bianco and engineer Luciano Ostuni, which led to the birth of Palazzo BN, an elegant temple of hospitality and gastronomy.
On the ground floor there is an outstanding Food Court with an extensive gastronomic offer. Thirteen flats are built on the first and second floors; they are spacious, designed for those who do not want to give up all the comforts of a large hotel, even when on holiday for just a few days. Each living unit is enriched with high-quality, Made-in-Italy furnishing of renowned design. The roof has now become Terrazza BN, a panoramic roof garden open to the public.
The project involves the use of Laminam’s I Naturali, Ossido and Calce, and IN-SIDE collections, chosen in eight finishes that are skilfully integrated into the floors, wall cladding or design furniture complements, in a perfect dialogue with existing materials, between revisitation and tradition.
The project aims to offer an immersive experience accompanied by the suggestions of antique elements, such as vaults, marble floors and walls, interior doors, grilles and chandeliers, all restructured into precious vintage touches that become an integral part of the furniture.
The basement, where the bank’s vaults were once located, is now a Wellness Boutique dedicated to wellness. It is not just a gym, but an exclusive place for personal well-being. The floor of the men’s changing rooms features the Laminam Pietra Grey collection; for the women’s changing rooms and common area, Invisible White marble was used.
The ceramic slabs are laid flush with the original security door connecting the men’s changing rooms to the common areas. Both finishes combine the refinement of traditional architectural stone with the technical performance of Laminam ceramic slab, applied in environments requiring special attention to hygiene and frequent cleaning. I Naturali collection emphasises natural elements with the advantage of a multifaceted, hygienic, durable and long-lasting surface.
The bar counter located in the Food Court features the Ossido collection, chosen in the Bruno shade with Laminam 5+ thickness in the 1620mm x 3240mm large size: this material simulates the oxidation process of copper plates and captures the iridescent shades of metal subject to the passing of time.
Laminam’s I Naturali collection features in the different rooms of the flats: in the same residence the colours range from the pure white of Invisible White (used as walls and floors in the bathroom and in the kitchen half-floor), to the industrial modernism of the kitchen worktop and backsplash with slabs from the Calce Grigio series.
This is complemented with the intense background of dark marble with the Noir Desir slab (applied to the floor in the living room and corridors) and the grey shades of Pietra Grey (chosen for the kitchen), in a continuous play of colours and contrasts with the wooden flooring and lighter-coloured design furniture elements. Noir Desir also dresses the floor and wall tiles in the bathroom, achieving the styled elegance that is a dominant feature of the building.
A third flat involves the use of the Pietra Grey surface, inspired by the calcite grey marble variety of the same name, applied in the kitchen as a worktop, half-floor and backsplash and in the bathroom as a wall cladding, proving the versatility of Laminam slabs. Arabescato ceramic slabs complete the interior design with the refinement of white marble, laid on the floor of the walkway joining the rooms.
Emperador Extra, with its Bocciardato finish and ivory veining, tells the story of the stone-inspired surfaces for the bathroom of one of the flats and the floor of the meeting room for customer use, while the Laminam Pietra Grey and Calce Grigio slabs enrich the kitchen, worktop, peninsula and living area with modernity.
The private terrace of the presidential suite see the use of Pietra Piasentina Taupe in the 1620mm x 3240mm large size and Laminam 5+ thickness. The same surface also dresses the floor of the Rooftop garden at the top of the building; the choice fell on the Fiammata surface finish, with a Laminam 20+ thickness and laying as a floating floor, with special sizes obtained from the 1620mm x 3240mm maxi-slabs. I
nspired by the materiality of one of the most famous stones in the Italian architectural tradition, Pietra Piasentina entrusts its bold hue with the great aesthetic impact that characterises it; it is particularly suitable for interior decoration or outdoor surfaces.
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