In southern Italy, in the World Heritage site of Sassi di Matera, prehistoric dwellings carved into the rock offer a stunning view of the ravine and the archaeological park surrounding it.
It was here that Italian architect Domenico Fiore was commissioned to build the “Basiliani Hotel“. The hotel spans 3 scattered levels and consists of houses, some of which are built on the ground and others carved into the rock.
The exterior renovation did not alter the original appearance of the site, so the hotel is not noticeable at first glance: what visitors see is a row of 12 homes.
Inside the hotel, on the other hand, an effort has been made to blend the old with the new.
The stone walls and vaulted ceilings have been painted white, which protects the structure from ageing while also diffusing light through the cave-like spaces of the building.
The main materials used are wood, steel and glass, while the colours chosen for the furnishings are basic colours.
Slender wooden staircases with metal details connect the spaces, creating a natural, lightweight effect
The floor is covered in some places with dark tiles, which contrast with the white walls, and in others with glass.
Source: designboom
Edited by: Maria Glykeria Marangianou
