A regenerative, sustainable and biophilic hospitality project.
A place for the city, open to everyone.
A regenerative, sustainable and biophilic hospitality project.
A place for the city, open to everyone.
Building
Located in the historic centre of Parma, Palazzo Parma – a prime example of rationalist architecture – was originally built as the headquarters of a local agricultural consortium in 1939. Amongst its unique features it has a large rooftop terrace overlooking the city, a double-height glass ceiling internal courtyard, stuccos, wall paintings, original mosaics and handmade wooden details.
Building
Located in the historic centre of Parma, Palazzo Parma – a prime example of rationalist architecture – was originally built as the headquarters of a local agricultural consortium in 1939. Amongst its unique features it has a large rooftop terrace overlooking the city, a double-height glass ceiling internal courtyard, stuccos, wall paintings, original mosaics and handmade wooden details.
Name
“PALAZZO DELL’ AGRICOLTORE”
Originally built as an agricultural consortium in 1939, the name ‘Palazzo Dell’Agricoltore’ was a nod to the building’s strong agricultural heritage.
“PALAZZO PARMA”
Whilst respecting the building’s history, our aim now is to look ahead to the future of the building as a destination for both locals & international visitors alike with a sustainable and regenerative approach. ‘Palazzo Parma’ represents the landmark of Parma this project aims to become.
Idea
The future of hospitality
Palazzo Parma envisions a new idea of hospitality, creating a landmark for the city of Parma and the territory through an innovative take on hospitality and design. A hub for holistic well-being, Palazzo Parma will be a driving force for the city and region catalysing people, culture, craftsmanship, positive values, and socialization around a truly new experience. We envision the Palazzo to represent all the charm and energy of classic Italian square, all under one roof.
This is not a hotel!
Palazzo Parma represents more than a hotel, it is a paradigm shift within hospitality. We are creating a space that contributes to the regeneration of people, the city, its territory and the biosphere through a nature-inspired model that drives community and well-being. The project is inspired by the theory of kalokagathìa (moral and physical beauty) driving the guest to ‘eudaimonia’ (personal and social prosperity).
A new era of wellness
At Palazzo Parma, we believe in creating a sustainable pattern of life that enables you to live fully, to be well, move well, feel well, and do well. Our vision sees our guests’ wellness at the core of everything we do. From the food served, to the quality of sleep guaranteed, we embrace science to heighten experience. All of our services are designed to soothe body, mind, and soul for the regeneration of our guest’s well-being.
Idea
The future of hospitality
Palazzo Parma envisions a new idea of hospitality, creating a landmark for the city of Parma and the territory through an innovative take on hospitality and design. A hub for holistic well-being, Palazzo Parma will be a driving force for the city and region catalysing people, culture, craftsmanship, positive values, and socialization around a truly new experience. We envision the Palazzo to represent all the charm and energy of classic Italian square, all under one roof.
This is not a hotel!
Palazzo Parma represents more than a hotel, it is a paradigm shift within hospitality. We are creating a space that contributes to the regeneration of people, the city, its territory and the biosphere through a nature-inspired model that drives community and well-being. The project is inspired by the theory of kalokagathìa (moral and physical beauty) driving the guest to ‘eudaimonia’ (personal and social prosperity).
A new era of wellness
At Palazzo Parma, we believe in creating a sustainable pattern of life that enables you to live fully, to be well, move well, feel well, and do well. Our vision sees our guests’ wellness at the core of everything we do. From the food served, to the quality of sleep guaranteed, we embrace science to heighten experience. All of our services are designed to soothe body, mind, and soul for the regeneration of our guest’s well-being.
Our Philosophy
Regeneration
By restoring this old building in the centre of Parma and transforming it into a space dedicated to a new way of hospitality, conviviality and well-being, we want to create a place of regeneration for guests, the local community and the surrounding city, where everyone can have the opportunity to benefit and discover something new. We hope that this project will become the engine of a neighbourhood regeneration process and that everyone who joins it will come out better for it.
Biophilia
Biophilia is the innate affinity of human beings with the natural world. Palazzo Parma’s biophilic design finds inspiration from nature itself, through architectural choices, spatial design, materials, colours, light and use of greenery.
Agriculture
It’s crucial for us to keep the strong agricultural heritage of the building alive within Palazzo Parma. Through a sustainable, and regenerative approach to nature and the local environment, we ensure a direct experience of agriculture conscious consumption.
Pharmacopeia
Palazzo Parma bases its culture of well-being on the scientific knowledge of the link between pharmaceutical chemistry and nature, which has always characterized the entrepreneurs’ roots. The Pharmacopeia culture runs through all the activities of the Palazzo: from the care of the people within, to the food quality and the scientific approach to Health and Wellness, using science to improve all experiences.
Commitment
Palazzo Parma will be an example of a truly regenerative experience for our guests and for all territory, becoming one of the city’s central squares, a destination for the local and international community. We will be delighted if our guests feel better by staying with us and learning about our holistic approach and how to regenerate.
Sustainability underpins the development of the entire project and we want to measure our commitment to people and the planet becoming a B Corp and following international certifications.
Commitment
Palazzo Parma will be an example of a truly regenerative experience for our guests and for all territory, becoming one of the city’s central squares, a destination for the local and international community. We will be delighted if our guests feel better by staying with us and learning about our holistic approach and how to regenerate.
Sustainability underpins the development of the entire project and we want to measure our commitment to people and the planet becoming a B Corp and following international certifications.
Who We Are
Palazzo Parma is owned and strongly wanted by two entrepreneurial families of Parma – Chiesi and Bollati – both very committed to the rebirth of this incredibly rich city, a symbol of the modern Italian lifestyle.
Executive Team
Martin Kuczmarski
Martin Kuczmarski is an international hotelier, restaurateur and members club operator. Former Chief Operating Officer of Soho House & Co, which specialises in private members’ club venues with restaurants, cinemas, health spas and hotels. With 25 years of global luxury hospitality experience spanning across Soho House globally, The Ritz Paris, Four Seasons Milan, Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo, One Aldwych London, Hyde Park Hotel London and Carlisle Bay Antigua. Now, his focus is on own company DIFFICULT NAME offering investments, concept creation, finance and budgeting, architectural design, operational layouts, interior design, project management, day to day management and branding.
Simona Melli
Simona Melli is an Architect, Project Director and Owner Representative for companies that develop projects with a positive impact on the economy and the community. In 2001, together with Dario Costi, she founded MC2 Architetti firm, which works on urban regeneration projects, developing public and private spaces, designing private villas and community houses, yacht interiors and museum exhibits, as well as schools and university residences, gyms and theatres. She has been working on the Palazzo Parma project since its conception and one of her goals is to transform the restoration of the Palazzo into an extraordinary opportunity for urban regeneration.
Kengo Kuma
Kengo Kuma (1954) established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990.
He is currently a University Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo after teaching at Keio University and the University of Tokyo. From 1985 to 1986 he studied at Columbia University as Visiting Scholar, and also received Architecte DESA (Diplôme de l’Ecole Spécialed’Architecture) in France.
Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA) is an award winning, Tokyo-based architecture and urban design practice with satellite offices in Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, and Seoul. The team’s expertise encompasses architecture, interior, and landscape design.
Renowned for cultural and civic projects, KKAA have also designed and completed installations, experimental pavilions, renovations, and major urban developments. The practice uses architecture as a way to strengthen the connection between human experience and the project surroundings, both natural and urban.
KKAA projects are currently underway in more than 50 countries. Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings.
Among Kuma’s major works are: Nagasaki Prefecture Art Museum (Nagasaki Prefecture Japan,2007), Suntory Museum (Tokyo, 2007), Nezu Museum (Tokyo, 2009), Besançon Art Center and Cité de la Musique (Besançon, 2012) , FRAC (Fond Regional d’Art Contemporaine) (Marseille, 2013), China Academy of Art’s Folk Art Museum (Hangzhou, China, 2015) University Multifunction Center at EPFL (Lausanne, 2016), Victoria & Albert Museum at Dundee (Scotland, 2018), Odunpazari Modern Museum (Turkey, 2019), Olympic Stadium in Tokyo (Japan, 2019).
Kengo Kuma was elected one of the world’s ‘most influential people’ by Time magazine in 2021 and is considered one of the most significant contemporary architects in the world.
Quincoces-Drago & Partners
Quincoces-Drago & Partners is an award-winning architecture and design studio founded in 2010 by architects David López Quincoces and Fanny Bauer Grung. Based in Milan, the studio specializes in residential, commercial and hospitality projects with a focus on high-end interiors and furniture design. Quincoces-Drago’s design approach blends clean lines, neutral color palettes, and a harmonious mix of contemporary and vintage elements. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, the studio aims to create timeless, livable spaces that reflect the personality and needs of each client.