indaffarato F L O R E N C E , I T A L Y
MERRYN WILLIAMS | VIRGINIA TECH INTERIOR DESIGN | SENIOR THESIS
I N S P I R AT I O N A piazza is a town square, the heart of activity in Italian cities and towns. It is a large open space, usually associated with a cathedral or monument. The spaces are lively, loud, and provide to much to see and experience. There are so many textures, from the ground to the domes hundreds of feet above. Despite the abundance of sights and activity, it is all authentically Italian.
CONCEPT The inspiration drawn from the piazzas can be seen in both materiality and how visitors will interact with the spaces. The core parti diagram provides the border for activity (the external walls), as well as a feature at the center of an otherwise open space (the grand feature stair). This influences the natural path of circulation to move around a center point, allowing for ease of exploration and way-finding. Unique and locally sourced materials, as well as furniture and fixtures by local creators fill the hotel with touches of Italian culture, and stay true to the vernacular design of the region.
BRANDING The word “indaffarato� in Italian means busy. As portrayed in the pace of the piazzas in Florence, the buzz of life can be felt all over Italy. Their energy is part of who they are, and part of what visitors should take away from their stay. Stay busy, see lots.
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indaffarato FLORENCE
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DESIGN DIAGRAMS
The parti diagrams above help to keep the flow of the space planning in line with that of many piazzas; businesses and buildings frame out the center space, with movement happening around a center point such as a monument or cathedral.
SITE AND VIEWS
THE DUOMO
HOTEL LOCATION
SAN MINIATO AL MONTE
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P R I M A RY M AT E R I A L S O U RC I N G
CALCATTA MARBLE
Found in abundance in Italian quarries.
ITALIAN LEATHER
One of Italy’s largest industries. Handmade leather goods can be access in Florence, reducing the need to ship from far away.
LOCALLY SOURCED AND CREATED LINENS AND TEXTILES
ITALIAN WALNUT
Occurs naturally in Italy, and acts as a major timber export.
TRAVERTINE FLOORING
Found in abundance in Italian quarries.
TEXTURED PLASTER WALLS
A common wall covering technique that draws inspiration from historic frescos.
CUSTOM TEXTILES
Cobble Stone Streets
Birds Eye View of Florence Rooftops
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Terra Cotta Tiles
RESTAURANT KITCHEN
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FIRST FLOOR | PLAN VIEW 1/16” = 1’ A. Restaurant B. Reception C. Luggage Room D. Employee Office Space E. Main Entrance F. ADA Entrance
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OPEN TO BELOW
SECOND FLOOR | PLAN VIEW 1/16” = 1’ A. ADA guest suite with roll in shower B. Essentials Shop
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THIRD & FOURTH FLOOR | PLAN VIEW 1/16” = 1’ A. ADA quest room B. Communal seating area C. Additional guest room on the 3rd and 4th floor only D. Large double guest room on the 3rd and 4th floor only
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PUBLIC SPACES & AMENITIES
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The guest check-in and reception, tucked against the feature stair at the center of the first floor’s circulation. This is the hub of activity and a crossroads for different activities within the main floor.
VINTAGE BRONZE BULB PENDANT LIGHT BY ITALIAN LIGHTING DESIGNER
Gino Sarfatti
DARKENED BRONZE
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ITALIAN WALNUT
TRAVERTINE TILE FLOORING
HOTEL DINING In Italy, eating is a big part of the day. It’s social and drawn out, and takes place at different times than in the United States. Breakfast and lunch are later, the mid-day meal and dinner are nearly the same in size, and the addition of apparativo is yet another time for food and drink. The altered floorplan above shows the different areas of the first floor that are set up for dining and socializing at different times of the day. Dining is never rushed.
BREAKFAST 7-11
Lighter than in the US, usually includes a pastry like a croissant, and a cappuccino or espresso.
APPARATIVO 6-9
Similar to our “Happy Hour”, includes a beverage and heavy appetizer buffet to go along with it.
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LUNCH 12:30-2
A starter, a pasta/rice, a meat, and a vegetable. Usually followed by something sweet and an espresso.
DINNER 8-10
Lighter than lunch, although some approach it just the same. Multple course, eaten slowly while chatting.
CASUAL DINING
Soft seating at the entrance of the restaurant for cocktails or down time. Lighting is a clustered pendant version of the same lighting used in other spaces.
RUBELLI PALLAZZO SOFA & ANNITA ARMCHAIR Rubelli is an Italian textile, furniture and decor design group run by a family in Venice. The group was founded in 1858, and creates its products in Italy with high standards.
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BAR & A P PA R AT I VO The bar features a “backdrop” of the same material as the flooring to draw the eye up and unite the materiality of the space. In Italy, many bars serve both alcohol and coffee, specifically wine and espresso. The bar at the hotel does just that, offering espresso all day and wine from lunch time on.
The main dining space transitions throughout the day to accommodate different meals. The long table in the back is specifically designed for apparativo, with a bronze quote above it that translates to“The cuisine of a country is the only exact attestation of its civilization.”
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THE ESSENTIALS SHOP The essentials shop provides guests with a convenient stop for items that will enhance their trip and ability to immerse themselves in the culture.
MAPS for both Florence and Italy as a whole, which will showcase both landmarks, general way-finding, and businesses in cahoots with the hotel, such as local makers.
BOOKS such as sketchbooks, various language translation dictionaries, information on culture, history and art.
CLOTHING AND SCARVES which meet requirements to enter into cathedrals and places of worship; shoulders and knees much be covered to enter.
MISCELLANEOUS ESSENTIAL ITEMS that might have
been forgotten during travel, such as tooth brushes and other toiletries.
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GUEST SUITES
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ROOM SCHEME ONE- COBBLESTONE STREETS
One of the second floor guest suites with a bay window facing the center of Florence.
CUSTOM TEXTILE
FARROW AND BALL Dove Tail
ITALIAN WALNUT
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NATUZZI ITALIA Handmade Rug
ROOM SCHEME TWO- FLORENCE ROOFTOPS
One of the smaller second floor guest suites.
CUSTOM TEXTILE
ITALIAN WALNUT
FARROW AND BALL Dove Tail
FARROW AND BALL Picture Gallery Red
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RO O M S C H E M E T H R E E - T E R R A C OT TA T I L E S
A smaller second floor guest suite, which looks out at the hills toward San Miniato Al Monte.
CUSTOM TEXTILE
FARROW AND BALL Dove Tail
ITALIAN WALNUT
FARROW AND BALL Picture Gallery Red
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STA N DA R D B AT H RO O M S C H E M E
View of a luxury bathroom on the second floor. The same material and finish palette is applied to every guest bathroom regardless of size or guest capacity. This is done is an effort to streamline ordering and specking of materials, so that extra care can be made in selecting each and every detail.
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Italian walnut counter space opposite the sink.
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Low flow European water closet.
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Custom marble sink found in every guest bathroom, with darkened bronze fixtures.
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Italian walnut bench just inside the shower portion of the bathroom to place fresh clothes, towels, or toiletries. Low flow wall mounted shower head in darkened bronze.
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THANK YOU
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