DLA Piper’s Rome HQ Provides Versatile Environment for Collaboration
In Rome, Italy, architecture studio Alvisi Kirimoto has completed the new headquarters for international law firm DLA Piper. The office, spanning over 4,000 sqm across seven levels, was designed to redefine the workplace as a fluid, ever-evolving environment that prioritizes the human experience. With natural finishes and thoughtful design choices, the project reflects Alvisi Kirimoto’s commitment to human-centered, environmentally conscious architecture, reinforcing the firm’s connection to the local context.
Two Independent 20th-Century Buildings
The new headquarters is housed within a property owned by the Diamond Care Fund and managed by DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A. Dating back to the early 20th century, the complex comprises two independent buildings that have undergone a significant structural and conceptual transformation, carried out by IPI S.p.A. on behalf of the client, in order to achieve LEED certification. Spanning over 4,000 sqm across seven levels, the project redefines the office as a fluid, ever-evolving environment that breaks away from traditional workplace paradigms.
Prioritizing The Human Experience
Prioritizing the human experience, it offers flexible, well-calibrated spaces designed to support a variety of activities: “For the new DLA Piper offices, we created elegant, dynamic spaces with varying degrees of privacy, designed to encourage internal collaboration and client interaction. The result is a versatile environment capable of adapting to diverse professional and interpersonal needs. Every detail was carefully considered, with high-quality, tactile materials and bespoke design chosen to give the spaces a distinct identity.”– explains architect Massimo Alvisi, co-founder of the studio.
Four Main Zones
The layout unfolds across four main zones: a vibrant community space in the basement; a welcome area on the ground floor; the operative heart on the middle levels; and a meeting/event area at the top.
Community Space Blends Working And Social Dimensions
The community space on the -1 level seamlessly blends working and social dimensions. The food area exudes a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, with prep and dining zones offering a variety of seating arrangements, from communal tables to more intimate window niches. Separated by sliding glass doors, the green room becomes a lush retreat with a central round table surrounded by oak planters integrated into the walls. Nearby, the consultation room is a flexible, library-like environment with informal seating and integrated workstations. A screening room lined with oak paneling and an embedded screen offer an immersive experience, while dedicated relaxation and leisure areas invite moments of pause, reflection, and recharge.
Two Interlinked Spaces
On the ground floor, the welcome area unfolds with two interlinked spaces. The reception area is lit by a generous skylight and clad in bespoke wood paneling. A monumental limestone and wengé desk with a built-in bonsai tree becomes a sculptural focal point, while a bronzed brass partition offers a glimpse of the adjacent lounge without compromising its privacy. The lounge effortlessly shifts roles: refined and intimate for client meetings, it can also be transformed into an event space thanks to movable seating and folding panels with oriental-inspired patterns. A central wengé and limestone bar completes the space.
Operative Area Spans From The First To The Fourth Floor
The operative area spans from the first to the fourth floor. Single-use offices open onto bright, transparent corridors through large glass partitions, while other zones are conceived as dynamic shared workspaces or open-plan environments. Hybrid spaces, phone booths, and meeting pods are subtly integrated. A custom-designed slatted wood enclosure discreetly houses the break areas, offering informal gathering spots within the workspace.
Meeting/Event Area Opens Out Onto Two Panoramic Terraces
At the top, the meeting/event area opens out onto two panoramic terraces, and features event-ready meeting rooms, and a custom-designed boardroom. These representational spaces spark interaction and dialogue, with custom furnishings and floor-to-ceiling finishes that connect seamlessly to the outdoor terraces, offering a 360° spatial experience that interacts with the cityscape.
Strong Emphasis On Material Quality And Sustainability
Throughout the entire project, a strong emphasis on material quality and sustainability is woven into every choice. Natural finishes and thoughtful design choices reflect Alvisi Kirimoto’s commitment to human-centered, environmentally conscious architecture. With this new Roman location, which joins its Milan office in Via della Posta, DLA Piper reinforces its presence in Italy.
Design Strategy
Through a design strategy that puts people and their interactions at the core, Alvisi Kirimoto delivers a hybrid architecture that doesn’t impose, but invites and engages; that doesn’t simply organize space, but expands its possibilities, offering a forward-looking model of the workplace that is ready to meet current challenges and future demands.
Photography by Serena Eller / Ellerstudio
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