Duparc Contemporary Suites: in Turin, the historic art hotel chooses Vimar’s technology

The perfect combination between rationalist and brutalist architecture, Duparc Contemporary Suites is a hotel in Turin with a vast private collection of Arte Povera and contemporary art. Designed in the 1970s by architect Laura Petrazzini and artist Corrado Levi, the building stands out for its bold and visionary style: a monumental structure made of reinforced concrete and glass, conceived to allow art and hospitality to share the same spaces. In 2007, it was presented with the prestigious “Architetture Rilevate” award by Turin’s Order of Architects. Initially intended as “Residence du Parc” for long stays, its 75 apartments hosted prestigious guests from the world of business and entertainment, who appreciated especially the vast and comfortable spaces, a characteristic that the hotel maintains to this day.

An environment designed to welcome and inspire, in which art is not simply exhibited but lives in symbiosis with the architecture. Art is not just decorative, it speaks to the environment and becomes an integral part of the structure. Exposed reinforced cement in the communal areas and technical systems blend in perfectly with the design following a unique philosophy that transforms a ventilation duct into artistic installation Logo n. 44 by Richard Woods. Among the most representative pieces of art that guests can admire in the entrance hall, Spigolatrice by Anselm Reyle, the sculpture of a tree by Giuseppe Penone, the meditation capsule by Atelier Van Lieshout, Marylin by Mimmo Rotella and Le Main Ouverte by Le Corbusier. The suites feature paintings by Mario Schifano and Michelangelo Pistoletto’s famous mirror paintings, while the headboards in the most recent rooms have been commissioned from Elisa Sighicelli. A private collection, alive and constantly evolving, that keeps in touch with the art world through temporary exhibitions and museum loans.

In line with tourism demand and increasingly more focused on short stays, the recent refurbishment project by architect Valter Canuto, with Elisa Sighicelli as art director, renovated the existing apartments and created new modern suits with a sophisticated design. Large windows allow natural light to flood the rooms and offer charming views of the city. Multiple types of rooms allow guests to choose the best solution for their needs, with areas including living room, dining room, and kitchen, guaranteeing comfortable and carefree stays. And for those who want to relax, the beautiful hotel Spa has tropical showers, steam baths, hydro massage and waterfall feature. In the refurbished suites, minimalist design meets the charm of natural materials and the delicate comfort of warm and neutral colours, with ecru nuances. Every detail is conceived to convey balance, comfort and timeless beauty, like the brushed dark bronze finishes of the Eikon Exé series, selected in the traditional version with grey controls; slim profiles and squared corners define a cover plate that is the pure essence of form and material. Eikon Tactil card readers provide an elegant touch to the exterior of the rooms. The smooth pure glass surface has backlit LED symbols to inform hotel staff that guests don’t want to be disturbed or would like their room cleaned. An imperceptible presence with a delicate charm, protruding just a few millimetres from the wall with its impeccable silhouette and with the possibility of backlit customisations, which clearly identify the function of the control, even in the dark.

This renovation project, in which everything aims to make guests feel at home, wouldn’t have been complete without the KNX hotel management system, with the integration of Vimar products carried out by Big Srl, under the supervision of engineer Aldo Vavassori. A highly complex system, designed to enable smart hospitality, while respecting art and the history of architecture. Check-in and check-out procedures, guest presence notifications, lights and temperature control, technical and emergency alarms: everything can be programmed and supervised from the reception desk. This smart technology simplifies the staff’s work and allows guests to fully enjoy their stay. Entering the card in the transponder reader automatically activates the lighting, adjusts the temperature to the desired setting and informs reception of the guest’s presence. Duparc Contemporary Suites stands out as unique in the hospitality landscape, offering an experience that combines art, architecture, and design in an extraordinary fashion: a cutting edge facility in which Vimar’s innovative technology transforms every stay in a modern and personalised interaction that perfectly balances aesthetics and functionality.

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