Lighthouse Sea Hotel

Murro di Porco’s area embodies an important and strategically touristic centre of Syracuse territory. Therefore, in the perspective of the development potentialities of the project site, it is necessary to strengthen and redevelop this area. The project provides for the creation of structures in order to promote the places and create important synergies between the different ways of doing tourism. We reorganized and enhanced pathways and outdoor spaces with the creation of squares and trails which brings out the tourist's point of view. The project aim is to create new connections as well as interactions between the designed areas and the pre-existing ones. The proposal is to create 3 important systems: a luxurious hotel with a breath-taking view on the Mediterranean sea, a SPA which can also be enjoyed by those who don’t stay at the hotel, and finally a bar/restaurant able to hold soirees and cultural events during the summer as well as in winter.

The project develops from the entrance of the lighthouse situated to the North. Inside the lighthouse the pre-existing structures are suited to house the hall from which is possible the access to the SPA. The SPA is made up by: a massage location, a Turkish bath, a sauna, and a swimming pool with whirlpool included. From here, through multiple trails which run all out to the sea, the tourist can enjoy countless and unmatched viewpoints. Moving forward to the East it is possible to get to 5 of the 7 bungalows of the hotel. Every bungalow has a private pool and a whirlpool bath, both placed on a platform overlooking the sea. Moreover they are both visible from the inside of the bungalow by looking through big glass windows, which show the unique view the tourist can enjoy during the visit. The travel in these exclusive and evocative places goes on to the west where you can find (in order): a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the sea, situated to the south of the area, where you can look out over the cliff; a bar/restaurant characterised by a wide glass projecting roof where you can take a coffee, a cocktail, having dinner or taking part to an event; a touristic pier and locations where you can sunbathe very close to the water during the summer days; and finally the two remaining bungalows in which you can sojourn.

The main goal is to create and develop choices that highlight the importance of the relationship between environment and architecture, through projects which enhance the beauty of nature by being in perfect harmony with human interventions. The regard to the places also involves the use of materials and techniques which take into consideration the history and the nature around them. Therefore, the project’s objective is to safeguard the integrity of the places by using natural materials already existing in the area, for example Etna’s volcanic rock has been used for the outer flooring. Furthermore, every single element which composes the project has been thought in order to be recyclable and eventually disassembled.