The Tennis Club Palermo is one of the few examples of rationalism of the Italian city of Palermo: the construction, designed in circular shape in perfect modern style, is located inside the area of the Real Favorita monumental park and was built in the 1930s. Recognized as a building of particular architectural merit, the Tennis Club is today bound to the Superintendence of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
ALVA Architetti worked on the reorganization of the interior for a new image to the Club, in total respect of its historical identity, starting from the selection of authentic materials: natural oak wood, chosen for the custom furniture of the hall and the boiserie on the walls, or the Carrara marble, adopted in the wall cladding of the bar or again the local grey marble of Billiemi, used for the flooring.
The latter was used in conjunction with parquet, a warmer material in the lounge area dedicated to members, where the custom-made furniture, such as a two-sided cabinet, frames the passage towards a more private area, destined to reading or quiet conversations.
The disposition of sofas in a radial pattern has also been thought to reinforce the existing connection between the interior and exterior space and allow a constant view of the surrounding landscape as well as of the towering Monte Pellegrino.
Finally, the peculiarly shaped hexagonal room dedicated to the trophies: the sheet metal shelves follow the perimeter in a meticulous manner and the supports, extremely thin and white in colour, blend completely with the wall, enhancing the victories that celebrate the Tennis Club’s history.
