In the former church of Santa Caterina, on Via Borgovico, Nomade and Ultrapresent Studio recreate their personal vision of the lobby—an environment commonly found in hotels of any level and, by definition, a place that is open and accessible to everyone. Conceived as a space dressed in design and art, Lobby Nomade was born from the idea of a pleasant interaction among heterogeneous figures: glances, people, handshakes, and minds meet, moving between the material works of artists Paolo Gonzato and Cosma Frascina, and design pieces that invite observation, listening, and storytelling. The designers featured in the exhibition include TIP Studio, Studio X, Cristina Celestino for Saba, 967arch for Saba, 967arch for Coro, Daniele Daminelli for Malcusa, Ultrapresent Studio. A place where stories are told and discovered, where connections are planned and sparked.
Borgovico 33 – Photo by Pino Musi
Paolo Gonzato, Pastiche
The Lobby Nomade project is an idea by Nomade. The company, founded by Fabio Basile, specializes in strategic consulting in the high-profile real estate sector, with a distinctive focus on luxury hospitality. Thanks to its extensive experience in Italy and a solid network of international partners, Nomade is able to oversee multiple phases of the process: from scouting unique locations to defining development and investment strategies. The Lobby Nomade project is curated by Ultrapresent. This multidisciplinary studio—working across architecture, interior design, and creative direction—was founded as a synthesis of the experiences of its founders, Davide Canton and Stefania Forese. Ultrapresent primarily focuses on hotel design: from strategic vision to spatial organization, through to concept and interior design, the studio develops hospitality projects for international brands.
Cosma Frascina, artworks from series Cracked
TIPSTUDIO, Secondo Fuoco collection
The venue hosting the project is the former church of Santa Caterina, located in the heart of Como at number 33, Via Borgovico. Built in 1634 on foundations dating back to the late 1200s, the church has lived through different destinies: it became a diocesan seminary in 1740, was deconsecrated in the 1800s and converted into a military barracks, later purchased by private owners and transformed into a cotton mill, then into a grocer’s warehouse, before eventually being abandoned. The renovation project entrusted to architect Paolo Brambilla consists essentially of a few carefully chosen interventions and materials, transforming the space into a venue suitable for hosting a wide range of artistic projects.
LOBBY NOMADE
Como, via Borgovico 33
14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21
September 2025
10 AM – 7 PM
free entrance
Appointment with Desa Yoga – Lobby Nomade and wellbeing: here, even yoga becomes an art of feeling and an opportunity for meeting and sharing. Exploring the intersection of sound and movement, Desa blends soothing soundscapes with guided yoga practice, creating higher vibrations inside the powerful space of the former church of Santa Caterina. Honoring the community spirit of yoga, this experience warmly welcomes beginners.
Wednesday 17 September 8:30am-10:00am
Sunday 21 September H 08:30am-10:00am
Free entry, limited seats
Book your seat: hello@desaagency.com
Wellness bag and yoga mat by Technogym