St. Stephen’s School Boarding

Embarking on a transformative project to expand its capacity and enhance the student experience

The Vision

St. Stephen’s School in Rome, a renowned international school, embarked on a transformative project to expand its capacity and enhance the student experience. The school purchased a historic hotel with the vision of converting it into a state-of-the-art boarding house. This project aimed to create a space reflecting the school’s commitment to academic and personal growth while preserving the unique character of the historic building. The goal was to provide students with comfortable, functional, and inspiring living spaces, blending modern practicality with the charm of the past—an essential element of quality boarding school design.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Bringing this vision to life required a comprehensive approach that combined design ingenuity with precise execution. Our team collaborated closely with the school’s project leaders to create bespoke furniture solutions that fit the building’s unique layouts while preserving its architectural heritage and maximising space and functionality. They meticulously planned and executed each stage of the process, from selecting premium finishes to managing logistics for international delivery. Despite the tight deadlines and the complexities of refurbishing a historic structure, the team completed the project on schedule. The Head of Boarding shared that it was ‘nothing short of a miracle’, considering the challenges that often present themselves when delivering in Italy during August. Successfully, our team transformed the historic hotel into a welcoming and functional boarding house ahead of the new academic year.

The Impact

The newly refurbished boarding house exceeded expectations by achieving a remarkable balance of functionality, aesthetics, and quality. The custom-designed living spaces, enhanced with thoughtful interior design, combine modern conveniences with the building’s historic charm. The result is a cohesive environment that feels homely and inspiring for students, offering the ideal setting for those attending this prestigious international school. The Head of Boarding shared how “The kids are incredibly happy and comfortable with their beds” and “incredibly happy with the final product.” This feedback highlights the success of the boarding school design in creating a space where students can thrive academically and personally.

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