Art Deco for wellness

The prestigious Grand Hotel Castrocaro, a landmark of the Art Deco style in Italy, recently underwent a redevelopment project that focused on upgrading the hotel’s spa complex. The chief architect behind the project, Federico Dottorini from èdoc architects, explains its origins. “The LongLife Health Spa marks a major upgrade of the Art Deco-style architectural complex built in the 1930s and 1940s and decorated by the famous Tito Chini. Respectful of the unique historical context and heritage, the project adopted a timeless language that blends elements of Art Deco with the characteristics of contemporary design.” But independently of the interior design choices and the desire to maintain the Art Deco style, a number of structural alterations first needed to be made. The floor was structurally reinforced to create a new internal layout that would satisfy the compositional needs of the spa while also allowing the space for the new reception area to be enlarged. The corridor leading from here to the spa cubicles stands out for its wenge wood panelling concealing the doors to the spa rooms. “Each treatment cubicle has been designed as a miniature world in its own right where visitors can enjoy ever-changing experiences, sensations and specially created atmospheres, enhanced by a meticulous lighting project with solutions designed to ensure effective light diffusion,” continues Federico Dottorini.
A judicious choice of materials and finishes is a key design tool for maintaining a sense of continuity with the existing style and for delivering the functions necessary in a spa. “Our study of materials and the consequent choice of products was largely inspired by the solutions already present in the historic building, namely exotic woods, richly veined marble, glazed ceramic tiles and mosaics. The marble-effect porcelain used for the floors and walls played an essential role. We chose large-format porcelain tiles for both the floor and walls not only due to their wonderful reproductions of marble veins but also because of their small thickness and the ease of installation and handling necessary in such a complex renovation project,” explain the èdoc architects. Specifically, a combination of étoile crème slabs from the Étoile de Rex series and Marquinia slabs from the I Classici di Rex series were selected for the floors and walls in the entrance and reception area, while Thunder Night slabs from the Prexious of Rex series, all by Florim, were installed in the main cubicles.