A bespoke design and installation project combining a retractable roof,
integrated lighting and infrared heaters to create an inviting atmosphere at one of Rome’s most exclusive luxury-hospitality addresses.

In one of the capital’s most spectacular settings, where the skyline of Rome unfolds through a succession of domes, terraces and suspended sunsets, the rooftop of Hotel de la Ville has been renewed through a bespoke project that brings together technology, comfort and architectural precision. The design and installation of the retractable pergola canopy, complemented by integrated infrared heating, was guided by a clear objective: to make the panoramic terrace fully usable throughout the year, while preserving the elegance and exclusive character expected of a five-star luxury hotel.

The project involved the design and installation of a high-performance retractable fabric roof, conceived to integrate discreetly with the existing architecture and engage with its historic surroundings without visually overwhelming them. Made entirely to measure, the structure defines the space through an understated contemporary language: slender profiles, clean geometries and a light visual presence. The result is an elegant, almost suspended canopy that provides protection without interrupting the visual continuity of the urban landscape.

The solution developed for Cielo Terrace interprets outdoor hospitality through an essential, contemporary architectural language. Designed to measure and carefully calibrated to meet the requirements of both the client and the project management team, the structure settles discreetly into the existing architecture without disturbing the visual balance of its historic context. The result is a light, refined and seamlessly integrated presence that enriches the experience of the space while preserving its dialogue with the city.

A retractable roof designed for year-round comfort

At the heart of the project is a high-performance retractable fabric roof, engineered to provide sophisticated and flexible control of the terrace. The motorised system, which can be operated remotely, allows the degree of opening, shading and protection to be adjusted in response to changing weather conditions, providing solar screening during the brightest hours of the day and complete waterproof protection in the event of rain. Its configuration in independently controlled sections further enhances the versatility of the installation, enabling precise management of individual areas and allowing the canopy to adapt to different times of day and modes of hospitality. The waterproof membrane channels rainwater towards the front gutter, with drainage concealed within the supporting posts, keeping the terrace protected, orderly and fully operational even in variable weather conditions.

Bespoke structure, restrained design, discreet integration

The load-bearing structure was designed to measure with an almost tailor-made approach, defining the space through clean profiles and a carefully controlled visual presence. Every construction decision was guided by a precise balance between strength, lightness and aesthetic coherence, resulting in a contemporary architectural expression that remains perfectly attuned to the character of the hotel.

The installation, anchoring and sealing phases were carried out with particular care to ensure maximum structural stability, complete weather resistance and long-term durability. In a high-end setting such as Hotel de la Ville, every technical detail was treated as an integral part of the final architectural and aesthetic result.

Light and warmth for a new vision of outdoor hospitality

The emotional character of the project is defined by the dialogue between lighting and thermal comfort. Integrated warm-white, dimmable LED lines discreetly follow the geometry of the canopy, creating an intimate, elegant and deeply welcoming atmosphere after dark. The lighting articulates the profiles, softens the surfaces and reinforces the sense of exclusivity that permeates the terrace.

Completing the installation, Relax Glass infrared heaters play a fundamental role in ensuring the comfort of the terrace during the colder months. Selected for their combination of thermal performance, visual discretion and aesthetic consistency with the pergola structure, these 2200W heating elements were precisely integrated into the framework to deliver immediate, targeted and evenly distributed warmth without adding visual weight to the space.

Low-glare technology helps preserve an intimate, elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, allowing the panorama, the quality of the lighting and the hospitality experience itself to remain the true protagonists. The result is a constant yet unobtrusive sense of wellbeing, transforming the rooftop into a warm and refined setting throughout the year, in perfect harmony with the exclusive language of a five-star hotel.

The result: an inviting atmosphere overlooking Rome

Today, the panoramic terrace of Hotel de la Ville has become a versatile, protected and visually striking environment in which technology and design converge within a single architectural vision. The retractable pergola canopy is more than a covering: it is a true piece of lightweight architecture that organises the space, enhances comfort and frames one of the city’s most evocative views.

In a five-star hotel, the experience of space is an integral part of the identity of the place. In this project, the quality of the design and the precision of the installation translate into a tangible result: an elegant, functional and memorable rooftop, capable of welcoming guests in every season with an immediate sense of warmth, comfort and refinement. In a single phrase, the final result is this: an inviting atmosphere.