Local energy

Landscape and context are key at the Poiano Resort. Set amongst 60 hectares of Mediterranean vegetation, including palm trees, olives, grapevines, oleanders and cypresses, and with its garden of roses, violas, hydrangeas and geraniums, the hotel stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape and Lake Garda. Along with four-star hospitality, the resort offers a range of sports and entertainment facilities (an Olympic size swimming pool, six tennis courts, a pitch for five-a-side football and beach volleyball, an archery area, a gym with personal trainer, a children’s playground and table tennis tables). Further facilities were opened as part of an extension project in the spring of 2013, including a spa with a saltwater pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna and bio-sauna, experience showers and a massage area. The project is the work of architect Alberto Apostoli, an international expert in the wellness sector. Right from the start, the design philosophy focused on blending contemporary design with nature and the local landscape. The architect commented: « The landscape is the cornerstone of this project. Wellness is a total experience and simply cannot be separated from the location. The Poiano Spa stands at the geometric centre of the Garda valley in a unique environmental and landscape context. We had to ensure that the forms, itineraries, colours and overall atmosphere would complement and support the hospitality functions. » The project strived to create a continuous and fluid wellness circuit with barrier-free routes, where the aesthetic and material characteristics are inspired by the typical features of the location. The architecture reflects a journey through nature, creating a sense of
well-being and relaxation in a sequence of spaces and a continuous interplay between interior and exterior. The materials play a vital role in conveying emotions and consist of an alternation of wood, glass and stone with textured surfaces and natural colours.
To allow external access, the spa is located in one corner of the resort, but it also occupies a fully glazed wing overlooking the splendid landscape below. From the semicircular saltwater infinity pool, four large windows offer views onto the external garden and Lake Garda beyond, allowing guests to gaze out to the rocky promontory of Rocca del Garda and the ancient Hermitage of San Giorgio perched on its summit. These large windows allow natural light to flood in during the day and artificial light of various colours to diffuse out at night. The pool area, with adjoining relaxation zone, is illuminated by specially shaped lamps with a burnished finish and is paved with the same material as the floor coverings used in the spa itself, StoneD full-body porcelain from Italgraniti, chosen here in the antislip version. The material is inspired by quartzite, a natural stone with a distinctively varied pattern and colouring.
As a result, the pool area is the central hub and focal point of the entire spa complex. Running parallel to this space, a curved corridor leads from the entrance to the reception and then on to various functional areas (changing rooms, pool area, wet area, beauty area, relaxation room and herbal tea room).
Serving as a kind of physical and visual telescope, it features walls clad with local stone by skilled craftsmen using traditional techniques. From here the swimming pool can be viewed through various sized windows with wood detailing, treated with a rusty metallic finished applied by spatula, a feature that is repeated on the reception counter.
The corridor is also separated from the wet area by elegant Zen gardens, partially buried planters that reference the exterior green spaces. The various spa areas (saunas, Turkish bath, etc.) are textural monoliths with dramatic lighting effects that enhance the volumes of the furnishings and the chosen materials and finishes.
Landscape and context are key at the Poiano Resort. Set amongst 60 hectares of Mediterranean vegetation, including palm trees, olives, grapevines, oleanders and cypresses, and with its garden of roses, violas, hydrangeas and geraniums, the hotel stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape and Lake Garda. Along with four-star hospitality, the resort offers a range of sports and entertainment facilities (an Olympic size swimming pool, six tennis courts, a pitch for five-a-side football and beach volleyball, an archery area, a gym with personal trainer, a children’s playground and table tennis tables). Further facilities were opened as part of an extension project in the spring of 2013, including a spa with a saltwater pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna and bio-sauna, experience showers and a massage area. The project is the work of architect Alberto Apostoli, an international expert in the wellness sector. Right from the start, the design philosophy focused on blending contemporary design with nature and the local landscape. The architect commented: « The landscape is the cornerstone of this project. Wellness is a total experience and simply cannot be separated from the location. The Poiano Spa stands at the geometric centre of the Garda valley in a unique environmental and landscape context. We had to ensure that the forms, itineraries, colours and overall atmosphere would complement and support the hospitality functions. » The project strived to create a continuous and fluid wellness circuit with barrier-free routes, where the aesthetic and material characteristics are inspired by the typical features of the location. The architecture reflects a journey through nature, creating a sense of
well-being and relaxation in a sequence of spaces and a continuous interplay between interior and exterior. The materials play a vital role in conveying emotions and consist of an alternation of wood, glass and stone with textured surfaces and natural colours.
To allow external access, the spa is located in one corner of the resort, but it also occupies a fully glazed wing overlooking the splendid landscape below. From the semicircular saltwater infinity pool, four large windows offer views onto the external garden and Lake Garda beyond, allowing guests to gaze out to the rocky promontory of Rocca del Garda and the ancient Hermitage of San Giorgio perched on its summit. These large windows allow natural light to flood in during the day and artificial light of various colours to diffuse out at night. The pool area, with adjoining relaxation zone, is illuminated by specially shaped lamps with a burnished finish and is paved with the same material as the floor coverings used in the spa itself, StoneD full-body porcelain from Italgraniti, chosen here in the antislip version. The material is inspired by quartzite, a natural stone with a distinctively varied pattern and colouring.
As a result, the pool area is the central hub and focal point of the entire spa complex. Running parallel to this space, a curved corridor leads from the entrance to the reception and then on to various functional areas (changing rooms, pool area, wet area, beauty area, relaxation room and herbal tea room).
Serving as a kind of physical and visual telescope, it features walls clad with local stone by skilled craftsmen using traditional techniques. From here the swimming pool can be viewed through various sized windows with wood detailing, treated with a rusty metallic finished applied by spatula, a feature that is repeated on the reception counter.
The corridor is also separated from the wet area by elegant Zen gardens, partially buried planters that reference the exterior green spaces. The various spa areas (saunas, Turkish bath, etc.) are textural monoliths with dramatic lighting effects that enhance the volumes of the furnishings and the chosen materials and finishes.