From structural renovation to 5-star luxury on the Lungarno: how the synergy between Eutropia Architettura, Andrea Auletta, and Flessya redefined Tuscan hospitality
Along the banks of the river Arno, an extraordinary architectural metamorphosis is now complete. Originally started as a technical upgrade, the renovation of the Columbus Urban Resort in Florence turned into a radical redesign of luxury hospitality, elevating the property to the prestigious 5-star category.
The Leap in Quality: From Structural Update to 5-Star Icon
The journey began in 2023. Overlooking the Arno river and located just minutes from the historic center of Florence, the Columbus hotel needed structural work to modernize its old layout. However, soon after the construction started, the ownership made a bold and visionary choice. They shifted gears to aim for elite hospitality, transforming the hotel into a luxury 5-star urban oasis.
The general contractor Sonoko Italia masterfully coordinated the entire project, trusting a refined creative team.
Eutropia Architettura managed the delicate dialogue between architecture and landscape. Andrea Auletta, a Milanese interior designer, curated the immersive indoor spaces. Flessya played a strategic role, acting as a true design consultant rather than just a door supplier.
Merging Landscape and Interior: The Architectural Choices
The core feature of the new Columbus Urban Resort is its spatial fluidity. Eutropia Architettura designed the external facades as permeable membranes. Large glass openings capture the changing Florentine light and bring it inside. At the same time, guests can enjoy beautiful views of the hills and the Arno river.
For the interiors, Andrea Auletta created a contemporary, cozy atmosphere. He avoided cold minimalism in favor of warm comfort. The main aesthetic theme focuses on curves. Every piece of furniture—from wardrobes and headboards to nightstands and desks—features rounded edges. This design softens volumes and ensures smooth pathways through the rooms.
Color Psychology and Materials Across 5 Floors
The five guest floors (including two exclusive suites) follow an organic color scheme based on warm, natural palettes. Each level uses a different combination of three shades, beautifully featured on the wallpaper behind the beds. These color combinations also guided the choice of curtain and upholstery fabrics.
Wood is the main material. The warmth of the parquet flooring blends with the geometric rhythm of the wood paneling, creating visual and tactile consistency in every room.
Doors as a Key Element: Flessya’s Custom Technology
In a 5-star hotel, technical details define the quality of the stay. Flessya worked closely with the designers to create custom doors that ensure safety, high acoustic insulation, and minimal elegance.
The Receptiva Collection for Guest Rooms
For standard rooms and bathrooms, the designers chose the N00 model from the Receptiva line, Flessya’s collection for the hospitality sector. It is a smooth door with a clean, minimalist style that highlights the quality of the lacquer.
Key technical and design features include:
- Color Finishes: RAL 7030 (stone gray) lacquer for bedroom and bathroom doors. For the basement spa and wellness area, they chose a sophisticated RAL 7033 olive green.
- Premium Accessories: The inside handle is the Bella model in satin chrome, paired with a geometric square fixed knob on the corridor side.
- Monumental Look: The custom external trim is 30 centimeters wide—much larger than standard doors—giving a grand appearance to every entrance.
From 4 to 5 Stars: The Performance Upgrade
Originally, the client requested EI30 fire-rated doors with 40 dB soundproofing (ideal for a 4-star hotel). Moving to 5-star luxury required an immediate technology upgrade from Flessya. The doors were upgraded to EI60 fire resistance and 42 dB certified sound insulation to guarantee absolute silence. The systems also include panic hardware and an integrated electric strike for smart home badge access.
Designer Transparency in the Suites
The master bathrooms in the main suites feature a unique design choice. The designers replaced the wooden doors with a glass model from Flessya’s S-nziale line.
The door features elegant Flutes glass (a semi-transparent, ribbed glass effect) with a dark brown aluminum frame. This design ensures privacy while allowing natural light from the large bedroom windows to flow freely into the bathroom.
ph Stefano Scatà
