W Florence stands as a manifesto of rediscovered modernity, set within a late-Brutalist structure from 1968 designed by architect Lando Bartoli, just steps from the Medici Chapels. Though conceived as a hotel, the building once housed a bank; its former vault now serves as the property’s gym. The restoration project was led by Florence-based firm Genius Loci Architettura; the interiors – shaped in part by Alessandro Bini’s textiles, some created specifically for the project – embrace rhythmic geometries that echo the linear patterns of the floors, establishing a subtly retro-modern tone.
Velvets, jacquards, and custom fabrics define the forms and functions of the furnishings (many of which were produced by Alessandro Bini, who also collaborated on the project as a contractor), conceived to engage with the architecture rather than overwhelm it. The result is an essential yet distinctive ensemble that weaves memory and contemporaneity, giving the city a place that opens itself to a renewed gaze.
