Restoration and New Purpose for a Creative Space
In the heart of Florence's Oltrarno district, on Via dei Serragli, one of the city's most iconic and authentic streets, the atelier of Maestro Sileno Cheloni takes shape. An artist and internationally acclaimed fragrance creator, Cheloni entrusted Capponi Group with the transformation of a historic space rich in architectural heritage, yet in need of careful restoration and reimagination.
The mission: to restore identity and refinement to the space, turning it into a place capable of holding both the Maestro's creative process and the experience of every visitor who walks through its doors.
This project called for a delicate hand. Capponi Group carefully uncovered and restored the original exposed brick walls and the distinctive cross-vaulted brick arches — defining architectural features that carry the full weight of the building's history. The original flooring was also recovered through targeted restoration techniques, reinstating a sense of continuity and authenticity throughout the space.
The design challenge was one of balance: preserving the historical soul of the building while giving it an entirely new function — a contemporary atelier dedicated to the creation and discovery of fragrance.
The project was built as a true creative collaboration between Capponi Group and Maestro Sileno Cheloni, with one shared ambition: to create a space that embodies the perfumer's artistic sensibility.
The atelier was conceived as an experiential laboratory: a place where fragrance creation and public encounter coexist within the same atmosphere. Restored historic architecture enters into dialogue with a contemporary design language: clean surfaces, considered furnishings, and a refined material palette that steps back to let the fragrances take centre stage.
Every detail was designed to elevate the ritual of scent discovery, transforming a visit to the atelier into a full sensory experience.
Capponi Group managed the project end-to-end, coordinating design and execution with particular focus on the restoration and recovery of the original architectural elements. Direct collaboration with Maestro Sileno Cheloni allowed us to seamlessly integrate creative vision with technical requirements, building a space that works equally as a craftsman's workshop and as an immersive destination for visitors.
Maestro Sileno Cheloni's atelier is today a space of exceptional refinement where history, architecture, and artistic research coexist in perfect balance. The exposed brick walls, the cross-vaulted ceilings, and the restored floors speak to the building's historic soul, while the contemporary design layer creates an environment that is warm, sensorial, and deeply memorable.
Looking for an architectural and interior design studio, or a single trusted partner for the construction and technical management of your project? We would be delighted to hear from you.
Share your vision with us, we will develop it together from start to finish.
Viale Giulio Cesare 31, 24124 Bergamo - Italia
E-mail: info@capponigroup.it
Phone: +39 035 017 5872
