Architect Lucio Merlini
Ph. Nicola Brunelli
Set within a space rich in historical architectural elements, Bar Velvet stands as a prime example of contemporary design seamlessly integrated into a context steeped in memory. Sculpted columns, ornate wooden ceilings, and exposed stone walls frame a refined environment designed to welcome and impress. At the center of the scene is the bar counter: a sculptural, backlit volume with sinuous, sophisticated lines, designed, produced, and installed by Fietta Prestige.
Fietta Prestige was entrusted with the production and installation of the bar, the focal point of the space and the center of visual and functional interaction. The project – signed by an external architecture firm – required highly precise and reliable execution, capable of translating an ambitious design into a complex physical object, perfectly integrated with the surrounding architecture.
The bar’s structure stands out for its curved, enveloping geometry, the material interplay of glass, metal, and backlit stone, and the high level of detail in its construction. The challenge was twofold: to faithfully reflect the design concept’s aesthetic and to ensure structural, lighting, and functional performance suitable for a high-end hospitality setting.
The bar front is defined by a material skin composed of vertical elements in opaline and amber glass, which filter and diffuse the light, creating a vibrant and dynamic effect. The integrated lighting – precisely calibrated – turns the bar into a luminous volume that enhances material depth and creates atmosphere.
The countertop is crafted from a seamless alabaster-effect surface, also backlit, featuring organic veining that echoes the warm tones of the walls and wooden ceiling. The junctions between different materials are executed with millimetric precision and invisible seams, requiring both artisanal expertise and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Behind the counter, a full-height bottle rack unfolds like a theatrical backdrop, with illuminated shelves and reflective panels creating depth and visual rhythm – a scenic installation that enhances the space without disrupting its balance.
One of the project’s most significant aspects was integrating the bar element into a heritage-protected environment, featuring historical flooring, structural columns, irregular walls, and varying ceiling heights. This required an extremely accurate survey and the development of a flexible modular system, adaptable during installation while remaining perfectly consistent in the final aesthetic result.
The creation of Bar Velvet exemplifies Fietta Prestige’s approach to high-complexity projects: attentive listening to the designer, on-site coordination, meticulous attention to detail, precision in managing tolerances, and expert handling of delicate materials.
In contexts like this – where every element tells a story – furnishings cannot simply be inserted; they must become part of the narrative. The bar, with its luminous and elegant presence, establishes a coherent connection between the identity of the place and the language of contemporary design, while offering a functional, durable, and scenographic centerpiece.
