Palazzo Capizucchi

In the heart of historic Rome, we orchestrated the remarkable restoration and transformation of Palazzo Capizucchi, a 16th-century edifice with a rich history.

Previously a residence for church leaders, the palazzo is now reborn as an academic facility for the nonprofit Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). We spearheaded the process, from finding the property through an extensive site search and negotiating the deal, to navigating the intricacies of government approvals required to achieve the legal use occupancy and coordinating with many consultants. Working alongside local artisans and designers, the project preserved the palazzo’s unique historic features while modernizing the space for CIEE students. Local artisans labored for nearly a year to preserve the wood-carved ceilings, hand-laid terrazzo tile, crystal chandeliers, and marble fireplaces and doorways, combining such ornate relics with locally crafted modern furniture to brighten and modernize the space.

Despite navigating foreign procedures and the installation of intricate seismic reinforcement in a partially occupied building, we delivered the project on time and within budget, creating a revitalized space with classrooms, offices, a library, assembly area, and a welcoming lobby for students worldwide.

• Intricate international zoning and change-of-use process.
• Extensive structural reinforcement to offset the area’s seismic activity required for new use.
• Delicate and historically significant existing conditions.