Italian publishing house Electa opens new concept bookshop at Rome’s Colosseum

For the past twenty years Electa has been dedicated to quality cultural content and merchandising of museums, exhibitions and publishing; characterized by a close collaboration with host institutions.

Electa’s latest bookstore at Rome’s Colosseum is among the latest projects of Milan-based Migliore+Servetto, the design duo who were tasked with creating a unifying language for the Italian publishing house’s stores, which is debuting at four locations in Rome as well as at a Venice outpost, in the spaces of the Biennale.

The design of the spaces adapts to the original architecture, with curved layouts following the Colosseum’s structure and windows framing the ancient ruins.

The new bookshop concept for Electa, that also saw them working with Rimini-based art director Leonardo Sonnoli on bespoke graphics is a nod to the site’s history with a contemporary graphic approach and  took over four spaces of the Colosseum archaeological park. Colosseum First Gallery, Second Gallery, San Gregorio al Palatino and Clivo Palatino. While each space has a distinct identity, Migliore+Servetto’s intervention features a unifying language comprising a light furniture system that brings simplicity and modularity to the displays.

Each store is characterised by a specific colour, adding a sense of uniqueness to the different locations: sulphurous yellow for Colosseum First Gallery, scarlet red for Colosseum Second Gallery, green celadon for San Gregorio al Palatino, and yellow cadmium for Clivo Palatino.

Electa