Where Beauty Unveils Itself

By Editorial Staff - 2 October 2025
Secco Sistemi has participated in the project

The frescoes are silent but tell stories from another time, just as the ancient, coffered ceilings whisper centuries-old secrets. Every detail is a journey into the past and each window frames a unique view of the city beyond. Set within the storied walls of Orvieto, Palazzo Petrvs rises between past and present, now a boutique hotel created through a meticulous restoration and revamp by architect Giuliano Andrea Dell’Uva, who has masterfully blended preservation with innovation. The modern project began with a long-abandoned building that was originally commissioned in 1475 by a notary called Petrus Facienus. His legacy, embedded in the very essence of the structure, became its defining asset – transforming the space into a new icon of contemporary hospitality. The restoration not only upgraded the garden, with its delightful central fountain, but also brought Renaissance frescoed ceilings back into view and embraced and enhanced the materials of tradition with natural terracotta mosaics, raw stone and clay-based plaster.

Dove la bellezza si svela con lentezza © Luca Ippolito, courtesy Secco Sistemi

A vital link was forged between tradition and the contemporary world by the use of historic kilns and local artisans. Equally essential was the contribution of Secco Sistemi, whose glazing systems merge architectural heritage with demanding modern standards of comfort and well-being. The design team chose OS2 75 windows in painted galvanized steel – flagships of Secco’s OS2 line with thermal breaks – to reinterpret the original iron-framed windows in a contemporary paradigm with enhanced performance and a minimalist esthetic. The slim profiles of the doors and windows maximize the glass surface, allowing natural light to flood into every corner of the hotel, whether from openings onto the central courtyard or outward-facing windows. Even more striking are the expansive glazed openings in the tower suite, where the view stretches freely across the rooftops of Orvieto.

Yet, performance never plays second fiddle to esthetics in this project. As such, across the board, precision-engineered profiles deliver the highest levels of thermal and acoustic insulation, ensuring privacy and comfort for guests. Visually, the deep tones of the painted galvanized steel echo the palette for the entire project, engaging in quiet conversation with the surrounding architectural elements.

Every room becomes a small gem of design and craftsmanship. From the terracotta-lined entrance courtyard, the spaces unfold: nine guest rooms, a suite carved into the ancient tower, and a restaurant in the adjoining de-consecrated church. It is a true journey through time, shaped by craftsmanship, artistry and innovation.