Art
Interior
About
Polina Zhdanova
Location:
Rione Terra, Pozzuoli, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
Type:
Commercial
Year:
2024
Boutique hotel ITER
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The vision for the hotel draws inspiration from the cross, a timeless symbol of connection and transformation. This idea informs both the hotel’s name, ITER and its design identity. The hotel is envisioned as an accessible and welcoming space where elements of local craftsmanship meet the natural strength of Pozzuoli’s historic landscape. The design focuses on providing a comfortable, functional, and culturally grounded experience for guests.
By integrating the crossroads of the cardo and decumanus into the hotel’s identity and layout, this project demonstrates how a modest design can celebrate history. It’s not just about preservation—it's about making history approachable and creating spaces where every detail connects guests to the story of Rione Terra.
For this thesis project, we’re diving into the challenge of creating a boutique hotel concept for Rione Terra, located on a rocky hill overlooking the Gulf of Pozzuoli. This unique area, known as the historical heart of Pozzuoli, carries the weight of over 2,000 years of history, blending Roman, medieval, and modern layers.
Hotel Iter occupies several buildings within the Rione Terra. The ground floor of Building 3 has been designated as the main entrance for the hotel, as it is strategically positioned at the entrance of the entire Rione Terra site and faces the adjacent parking area.
The design concept draws deeply from the site’s rich historical context, integrating elements that honor and amplify its story.
The cross pattern, a defining feature of ancient Roman urban planning, becomes a key motif throughout the design, creating a subtle dialogue between past and present. The color palette is inspired by the warm terracotta hues of the region, complemented by the use of raw materials such as stone and wood, which harmonize with the preserved archaeological elements. These choices were made to support and enhance the site’s historical importance, ensuring that the design remains respectful and understated, allowing history to remain the centerpiece.
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