Society, public space and gallery, Belgrade (RS)

The Old Sessions House, an 18th-century three-storey Courthouse designed in the historical Palladian style, is the location of the brand new showroom, Casa Gessi London. The Grade II listed building was originally built as a public Courthouse and the ground floor, which once housed prison cells for those awaiting trial, has been carefully integrated into the structural design of the whole exhibition. Casa Gessi London is located in the heart of Clerkenwell, the district hosting the highest number of architectural firms in the British capital. The new showroom celebrates the Italian taste and design of “Made in Gessi”, presenting a journey for the senses through a space of 500 square meters. The layout has been studied in detail to engage architects, designers and other visitors in a sensorial experience with great emotional impact. Casa Gessi London adopted a bold and ambitious stance towards technology placing its innovative products within a historical infrastructure, and by combining modernity with barrel vaults, brick walls, gratings and niches inherited from the old purpose of the building. Going far beyond expectations, the Gessi interior design team achieved the goal of creating a beautiful setting that renders visitors speechless. The venue first leads guests into an incredible sensory journey through the laid-back lounge and Gessi “Libertà” bar, followed by the display exhibitions which have been placed inside the archways created from the original vaults of the building. Lastly, they are led to the space of Architectural Wellness and to the final setting hosting a spectacular performance of lights and water.