JULY 10, 2017 MARCO RINALDI

INTERIOR DESIGN, ITALY, MARCO PIVA, NEWS

DONNAFUGATA GOLF RESORT & SPA BY STUDIO MARCO PIVA

Studio Marco Piva was asked, in the first phase of a wider renovation project involving the whole complex, to do a restyling of the large common area on the ground floor for Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa. The intervention focused on identifying those elements of the interior decoration that were to be preserved and enhanced and on replacing and adding mobile furniture with an aesthetic, functional and emotional value, able to recall aspects of the territory.

From a functional perspective, the large ground

floor area, a typical feature of rural architecture in

the early 20th century, with its high truss ceilings,

was deeply chaotic: acoustically, thermally, visually

and organizationally. The project concept came

from the need to create a rhythm by dividing the

spaces and assigning them a function, without any

kind of architectural intervention. Two strong

scenery flats – two floor to ceiling curtains and a

glass block – enhance the existing architecture

while, at the same time, ideally dividing the large

hall into four spaces: the reception area, a

waiting/lounge area, a shop area and a parlor area

designed as an extension of the adjacent café.

Besides organizing the spaces visually, these devices

also play an important acoustic role by interrupting

sound waves; they maintain the temperature (by

better retaining air-conditioning) and they act as

filters for the sunlight coming through the three

large French windows at the bottom of the

hall.From a chromatic perspective, on the one hand

the chromatic mood has been chosen according to

the local architecture and decoration with the

golden hues referring to the Sicilian Baroque

(chandeliers and reception desks), which were not

only maintained but enhanced in the reception

area, or with the olive green and the orangey red for

the chairs upholstery in the lounge area, or with the

fabric weaves, the upholstery decorations and the

chandelier lamp shades, also inspired by the Sicilian

territory.

Reception area In the reception area the three original desks were preserved, with their typical Sicilian Baroque style, and enhanced by replacing the old, lightly coloured ceramic wall of the rear desk with a pietra pece cladding whose shades range from coffee to black, making a strong constrast with the desks. The portal framing the desk has been covered in gold leaf, thus recalling the desks and paying homage to the history and the traditional colours of the Sicilian territory. The old lamps have been replaced by a system of directable spotlights around the desks to ensure some punctual light sources on the operational area. The partition between the reception area and the lounge area was achieved through two large scenic curtains, a clear reference to the theatre as an essential element in Sicilian culture and history.

Waiting / Lounge area – Parlor area In the waiting/lounge area and in the parlor area all the existing seats and small tables were replaced in order to create different situations responding to different needs. The existing

suspension lamps have been preserved and enhanced by lowering their heights, which enables them to better interact with the environment, and by covering their long chains in soft fabrics for a more subdued and welcoming appearance. The lamp shades have also been replaced with bigger ones in order to highlight their presence while, at the same time, covering them with the same fabrics used for the chains.

Shop area The shop area, which was previously limited to a simple display cabinet attracting visitors to another area of the complex, now becomes a focal point, a grand scenic design meant to divide a space and give it a new function. A large glass and gold metal box, with a a texture that shows the content through while recalling the colours typical of the territory, houses an area reserved to the Sicilian fragrance brand Ortigia (a small neighbouring island). The transparent glass box, a lightweight, non-invasive element, separates the informal waiting/lounge area from the more formal parlor area. Source by Studio Marco Piva.

• Location: Donnafugata, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy • Architect: Studio Marco Piva • Client: Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA • Area: 570 sqm • Year: 2017 • Photographs: Franco Noto / Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA, Courtesy of Studio Marco Piva

Article by Marco Rinaldi Link: http://aasarchitecture.com/2017/07/donnafugata-golf-resort-spa-studio-marco-piva.html