In the rarefied stretch of Buckingham Gate, where history and power quietly converge, Casa Italia is taking shape as a confident new symbol of Italy’s cultural presence in London. Set within a grand Victorian building spanning almost 2 000 square metres, the project represents one of the most significant real-estate investments made by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the UK in recent decades. Opening from autumn 2025, Casa Italia will bring together the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) under one roof — a deliberate architectural statement of unity, dialogue and exchange.
More than an institutional headquarters, Casa Italia has been conceived as an international meeting point: a place where diplomats, business leaders, academics, journalists and cultural figures intersect. Interior designer Nick Vinson’s curatorial approach ensures that design is not decorative, but declarative — quietly communicating Italian values of craftsmanship, longevity and innovation.
The ground floor’s Eugenio Montale Library sets the tone. UniFor’s CF shelving system by Dante Bonuccelli wraps the room in a silver-lacquered, floor-to-ceiling composition that establishes a strong visual rhythm while amplifying the space’s verticality. Jean Nouvel’s Less Less tables anchor the room with sculptural restraint, paired with Michael Anastassiades’ 123 chairs to create an atmosphere of contemplative elegance. Nearby, Gio Ponti’s iconic D.151.4 armchairs converse effortlessly with Andromeda tables by LSM, while the waiting room’s travertine-topped elliptical table sits alongside Vincent Van Duysen’s Augusto sofa — a lesson in timeless proportion and material confidence.
Across the building, UniFor’s S200 height-adjustable workstations introduce a subtle playfulness. Configured in single, double and multiple units, their vibrant hues of red, blue, green and yellow distinguish departments while reinforcing a coherent design language from ground to third floor. A double sliding Wood Wall partition by Citterio maintains transparency between key spaces, allowing architecture and movement to flow uninterrupted.
Casa Italia’s cultural ambitions extend beyond its offices. An exhibition gallery will open with a presentation of J.M.W. Turner’s Italian works, while an auditorium supports institutional and cultural programming. The lobby, inspired by rationalist architecture, features contemporary Italian materials and a bespoke mosaic, reinforcing the project’s artisanal depth. Artworks by Antony Gormley and Tancredi di Carcaci will further enrich the interiors, developed in collaboration with leading Italian and British cultural institutions.
“Casa Italia is a place where all components of the Italian System come together, offering a comprehensive platform that brings together the economic, cultural, artistic and social dimensions of our country,” says Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani. Designed with sustainability, quality and long-term durability at its core, Casa Italia stands as a quietly powerful reminder that great design is not only seen — it is felt, lived and shared
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Images: Courtesy of the Molteni Group
