Vatican: Pétros ení
Status: Exhibition Competiton 1st prize 2023, Exhibition Project 2024, Realization 2025
Location: Vatican
Program: Design of the immersive exhibition Pétros ení in the Vatican, including spatial scenography, material concept, and integration of the Basilica’s digital twin
Partners: Fabbrica di San Pietro, Microsoft, Iconem, Dadada
Exhibition Architects: Rokas Kilčiauskas, Justina Stefanovič
Photography: Dadada, Processoffice
Render axonometrics: Iconem
Pétros ení: Architectural and Spatial Design for a Digital Experience in the Vatican
In collaboration with the Fabbrica di San Pietro and Microsoft, Processoffice contributed to the creation of the Pétros ení exhibition—an immersive, spatially compelling installation within the Vatican that brings the legacy of Saint Peter into a contemporary narrative framework. The project reimagines the role of architecture in museum experiences by merging technological innovation with spatial storytelling.
The exhibition is housed in the newly restored historic spaces of St. Peter’s Basilica—the Ventaglio Room and the Octagonal Room—carefully selected for their spatial character and proximity to the Basilica’s core.
The design was conceived as a layered and sculptural environment that mirrors the complexity of the Basilica and its historical significance. Modular structures, subdued lighting, and material tactility guide visitors through a contemplative journey, where architecture acts as both frame and filter for the digital and physical content.
Oxidized copper was chosen as the main material for the spatial structures—its natural origin and nuanced patina evoke a sense of preciousness, while establishing a dialogue with the sacred and monumental context of the Basilica.
A central element of the design was the integration of a “digital twin” of St. Peter’s Basilica, developed through a partnership with the French company Iconem. Over 400,000 images were used to construct this detailed 3D model, which forms the backbone of the digital narrative. Architectural intervention created spatial transitions that respond to this virtual dimension—spaces expand and contract in rhythm with the unfolding story, encouraging both reflection and immersion.
The use of dark tones, textured materials, and refined graphic layers offers visitors an experience that is both sensorial and symbolic, evoking the sacred while accommodating cutting-edge technology. As a result, the exhibition stands as a model for integrating heritage, design, and digital craftsmanship in a contemporary curatorial setting.
