The House of Peroni Open Residency at Brick Lane

Last night The House of Peroni opened the doors at The Boiler House on Brick Lane to showcase their plans for a one month long celebration of all things Italian. Inspired by Italian culture The House of Peroni have created a space which encapsulates the heart and soul of Italy; taking inspiration through the food, drinks and architecture of the space. Working with many artists some of which have never worked in London, Peroni have pulled together a captivating Italian experience. The Residency was designed by Experience Director and Set Designer Simon Costin as a social place to meet friends, enjoy Italian movies, taste Italian food and sample Peroni Nasto Azzurro infused cocktails.

As a guest to the press party, we were treated to a special lecture from Simon Costin who talked us through his personal growth as a set designer, told amusing anecdotes about working with Alexander McQueen before he was well known, and finally telling us all about his inspiration behind the space. When we asked him what inspired him to work on this project, he told us, “I enjoyed the challenge of re-contextualising a space which everyone already knows and is familiar with and turning it into something completely new.”

Costin has many ambitious plans for the vast open space, including a dining and viewing mezzanine, contemporary art space created by sculptor Rebecca Louise Law and a shop selling produce experienced within the Residency and only available on site.  As someone who enjoys taking risks he plans on completely changing the architecture of The Boiler House, adding staircases and walls and turning it into Peroni’s vision of the Italian Piazza; bringing the outside inside. The Residency is designed to be revealed piece by piece with large screens and light installations by light artist Luminarie De Cagna, which are to be moved and changed to give a different experience on each visit. The entire space has been thoughtfully created to indulge all the senses: sight, smell, sound and touch and to take you on a journey through an Italian piazza on a summer’s day.

Guests can book a table on the mezzanine to enjoy a six course tasting menu by Michelin-starred chef Accursio Craparo, while sipping on cocktails created by Simone Caporale. There was a selection of cocktails on offer at the press party, including a savoury Bloody Mary, a vapour infused cocktail and a celery and volcanic ash salt piece. Each cocktail was inspired by the flavours and scents of Italian piazzas and had memorable moments, including a mahogany airbag which you breathed in through a plastic pillow. With Costin’s incredible eye for detail and Peroni’s enthusiasm in adventure, we believe the space will be transformed beautifully and we’re very excited to see it again once it is open.

Megan Sharp

The residency will be open for visitors from 14^th May – 10^th June at 152 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU. Many events planned including: Mixology Classes, Granita Making and Cinema viewing. All details are available on The House of Peroni website.