Palazzo San Gottardo, the new face of Como

Como’s layered history and distinctive identity shape the interiors of Palazzo San Gottardo. The city’s architecture, textile heritage, mercantile past and relationship with the lake inform a design language built around materials, colour and carefully considered details. This is the approach of Ultrapresent Studio, founded in 2023 by Davide Canton and Stefania Forese, which has reinterpreted the interiors of the new Radisson Collection Hotel. Wood, lacquer and brass bring warmth to the spaces, while textiles take centre stage. More than a decorative element, fabric becomes a form of soft architecture, helping to absorb sound, filter light and give the interiors a more residential feel.

On the ground floor, the reception and Caffè Lariano create a shared setting that feels both elegant and informal, opening the hotel to the city. Earthy tones deepen into brick and dark brown, set against velvet, leather and warm timber. Among the elements designed by Ultrapresent are lighting and screens made with Dedar fabrics. Recurring throughout the hotel, the screens reference Como’s historic links with the Silk Road and its role as a centre of commercial and cultural exchange. At the same time, they introduce a subtle sense of privacy without cutting the spaces off from one another.

The bedrooms and suites take a more intimate approach. Lake-inspired greens are paired with warm timber and soft fabrics, while the bedhead becomes an enveloping element that defines the sleeping area. A marble-effect Dedar fabric evokes the movement of water, while diamond-shaped ceiling patterns and circular bathroom forms translate historical references into a contemporary language. A selection of artworks curated by Lorenzo Butti adds another layer to the story of Como.

At rooftop level, Ristorante Radiante shifts towards a distinctly nautical mood. Glossy timber panelling, porthole-like doors and softly rounded tables recall the interiors of vintage boats, complemented by Joe Colombo’s Fresnel lamps. A deep green palette runs across the floor, seating and textile ceiling details, creating an enveloping atmosphere in dialogue with the lake beyond. After almost 40 years, Palazzo San Gottardo has returned to its original role as a place of hospitality, with 70 rooms, a ground-floor bistro, a fine-dining restaurant and a wellness area. For Ultrapresent, the essence of the project lies in translating, rather than recreating, the past: using Como’s memory, materials and atmosphere to shape a contemporary vision of hospitality.

Photo credits: Silvia Rivoltella, Courtesy Ultrapresent Studi