Developed from an idea of the architect and designer, Yasmine Mahmoudieh, and from the conversion of the historic rooms in Palazzo Spina in the heart of Rimini, 31 January 2015 saw the inauguration of Augeo Art Space, a unique concept which ambitiously and creatively blends the sophistication of contemporary art with the world of wellness, to welcome guests from all over the world for exclusive events.

The Latin term augeo means “to increase” and “to grow”, but also “to strengthen” and “to fill with goods”. Correspondingly, this unique space – the only of its kind in the world - is dedicated to personal enrichment, inner growth and meditation.

The Augeo project, commissioned by Sergio Antolini and his creative director, Matteo Sormani, will be reproduced in other major cities overseas. Divided into two areas, the art gallery and the spa area, it covers the ground floor and basement of the former Palazzo Brancaleoni, today known as Palazzo Spina.

The reason behind this choice is explained directly by project designer Mahmoudieh: “The space for the art gallery is dedicated to the imagination and to creativity and as a result it appears oneiric and abstract. The space for the spa, on the other hand, is real, physical, designed for the body and where the mind in particular can be allowed to wander freely, to relax after the concentration and tension of inspiration in the first room.”

And from the moment you cross the threshold, Augeo is able to transport everyone into another world.

HI-MACS® for inspiration and art

Continuity, plasticity, light: the entrance arch to the art gallery opens on to an abstract, soft, creative world.

To welcome guests and help them feel immediately at home in the inspiring atmosphere is a work created by the designer and made entirely of HI-MACS®, which appears as though imprisoned in a state of fluid dynamism. The “functional sculpture” begins on the right-hand side of the entrance to hide the old imperfections in the original structure. It then transforms into a seating area which “slides” along the perimeter of the rooms and then dives yet again to finally transform itself into a reception area and bar.

A journey which accompanies the visitors, but which, above all, prepares them to interact with the international works of art on display.

HI-MACS® was fabricated here by the Italian company, DForm, which moulded it skilfully and very precisely to give the “sculpture” its spontaneous sinuous aspect, a distinctive feature of the project designer, who has exploited curved lines in many of her installations.   The thermoplastic capability of HI-MACS® was fundamental to the success of the
project. It enables the material to take any shape and allows designers to give free rein to even their most ambitious ideas.

In addition, since the distinctive feature of HI-MACS® is that it shows no signs of any joins, it is possible to create the illusion of a structure which appears to be made of a single, continual, uniform block of material, with a surprising monolithic effect.

“HI-MACS® is one of my favourite materials due to its flexibility and superior quality,” remarks Mahmoudieh, who conceived the sculpture to complete the space without detracting from the art surrounding it.

The white surfaces, like the counter behind, will be used as screens for digital art projects. The first will be by Zuth, who was asked to give a personal, artistic interpretation of the idea of contemplation, desire, meditation and freedom lying behind Augeo.

The floor has been deliberated “dirtied” by the shades in the cement which recall the colours of a typical, Italian, outside courtyard.  Tiny specks of light, specifically placed to pinpoint the works on display, spangle the strategic white walls to make the rooms appear wider and lighter. Mahmoudieh carefully studied the lighting for this project, and opted for a mainly indirect light, which does not tire guests’ eyes and “gently” accompanies them through the different rooms. Strip lighting at the foot of the walls lightens the structure and makes the walls appear to “float”, giving a fascinating, scenic effect.

Behind the reception area, a staircase leads to the rooms on the lower floor, divided between the massage and treatment area, the fitness area and the magnificent spa.