Roma Roma Best Practice Architecture relishes collaborating with new entrepreneurs and small businesses to craftbespoke, highly successful spaces. From the project's onset, our team partnered closely with theowners of Roma Roma to realize their vision: a comfortable neighborhood hangout tailored equallyfor a solo guest grabbing a quick bite or a lively group lingering over drinks.
Billed as Capitol Hill’s one-stop shop for Roman-style slices, pies, and drinks on tap, the design creates an intentional reprievefrom the city bustle—a space that feels like a mini-vacation and promises a "Roman holiday everyday."
Inheriting a space that benefits from an abundance of natural light, the design layout aims to blendplayful mid-century modern nods with classic Italian piazza inspiration, all set against a spiritedbackdrop of Italian disco on the speakers, classic Feline movies, and cascading greenery.
To create a rich, delightful environment that is both high-energy and hospitable, we balanced a boldmix of colors and materials. Capitalizing on the room's natural brightness, we integrated mirroredbooths that reflect light throughout the interior while creating the illusion of being completelyimmersed in the restaurant's lush greenery. Warm walnut wood paneling anchors the perimeter of theroom, providing a sophisticated counterweight to bombastic marble slab bar tops and floor.
Two bespoke design interventions truly define the room's character. Underfoot, a striking customfloor installation emerged from a tight collaboration between the design team and the Owners. Madefrom custom-fabricated Forbo Marmoleum linoleum, the intricate, graphic pattern is a massivemosaic comprised of over 4,000 individually cut pieces.
Floating above, a series of large, Best-Practice custom-designed orange lamps act as a subtle nod to old-world streetlights, casting a warm glow overthe dining area and evoking the romance of open-air dining on a bustling public square. The resultinginterior is a layered, cinematic, and spirited neighborhood hub where fast-casual convenience meetscurated modern design.
