BLUEPRINT BEAUTS
BLUEPRINT BEAUTS
HOTELS, TRAVEL,
HOTELS, TRAVEL,
CULTURE & DESIGN
CULTURE & DESIGN
GLORIETTE GUESTHOUSE
SOUTH TYROL, ITALY
FONDANT NOUVEAU
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Cast in fondant white with its iconic colonnaded arches,
outcrops and fabulous roof-top cantilevered infinity pool wrapped in bronze, the Art Nouveau-inspired Guesthouse Gloriette is a charismatic rural rebel found in the South Tyrolean mountain-candy of Soprabolzano, Italy.
Constructed in 2018 on the site of a former hotel, Gloriette is the brainchild of the Alber family, who cleverly commissioned Lukas Rungger and Stefan Rier, the founders of architecture studio noa* to create a new modern alpine hotel, which builds on the traditions of summer holidays. The duo were creatively inspired by the sinuous curves and rounded windows of Soprabolzano’s Art Nouveau buildings, which also played to the notions of a neoclassical Gloriette –small guesthouses built in the large estates of the nobility.
Lead architect Christian Rottensteiner talks of how the design inception was inspired by “a context deeply rooted in history: the Renon mountain, Bolzano's getaway for many centuries. This is where the city's elite used to move at the beginning of the summer to grasp some ‘Sommerfrische’ in their holiday residences. With our project, we wanted to recreate that allure of the past and echo it through the arched architecture and the liberty-inspired interiors.”
They were also inclined to develop the blueprint and façade in a close dialogue: what is hidden behind the façade can be viewed from the outside without revealing too much; similarly, the use of reflective black glass allows nature to merge with the building by a mirroring projection. Looking back to traditions in the village, noa* incorporated local elements such as arches, the hipped roof and the jutting rhombus’ nodding to decorative railroad houses. At the top of the structure, the bronze-coloured spa sets the tone for a new lively architectural narrative with its cylinder-shaped cantilevered pool, a wow-factor topper for this curvaceous cool cat. Look for the continuation of the arch throughout the building as seen in mirrors, fireplaces and loungers.
Inside, the vibe is hip. Smooth resin floors play host to local timbers allowing for the feel of continuous flow. Roomy open-plan spaces are dotted with modern furnishings, vintage finds, salvaged nostalgia from times
past and wildflower toned fabrics headlining the comfort dialogue. Smart, bright and modern, the Gloriette’s interior design is intentionally light and perfectly contrasts the drama of nature framed by each arched window.
A casual boutique holiday refuge that twines raw mountainous beauty with urban design, Gloriette kindles an easy-going vibe warmed by a dash of alpine loveliness –harking back to the good-old-days.
With the omnipresent infinity views of nature pure included from all the accommodation and suites, the boutique bedrooms typify modern comfort. Decorated in soft palettes with simple wooden accents, which root the feel back to the Alps – bedrooms are perfect for a spot of idle gazing. In a nod to the geometric forms mixed in with the curves and arches, some suites have cuboid bays that project from the hotel’s facade. Fitted with arched windows and built-in daybeds, these nooks feature walls and ceilings upholstered in deep-blue cotton. Opt for a boutique hotel room with a free-standing bathtub for added romance.
An ‘instagrammable’ beauty – the location alone captures the feeling of true wellness with gorgeous horizon views across the Dolomite peaks and skyline in all directions. The aerial structure is wrapped in bronzed panels and, above the pool, a canopy of crisscrossing steel rods dance in geometry across the blue waters.
Despite being a new hotel, this local family are the original Renonians and possess the heart, insider tips and passion for this special part of South Tyrol. Birgitt - the mum who knows best, is the style guru with her hotelier experience and impeccable taste. Son Andi and partner Julika are the youthful hosts who keep the Gloriette a modern refuge of relaxed charm, naturally friendly and just ever-so nice. The family live the life of rural urbanites and convey this soul throughout the walls of the new Gloriette, giving the warm sense of it having always been there. It is their shared DNA that brings the hotel to life.
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rhombus-shaped
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the LAST WORD:
Connecting the dots of creativity since 2009.
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AN EMPORIUM OF THE PLACES, THE PEOPLE AND THE TALES THAT MAKE ME SMILE
Founded in 2009, The Aficionados has always been in creative pursuit of design personality: our core community of distinguishable hotels and private-hire houses, together with our colourful listing of makers, has matured over the years and has become a go-to for those who love style, integrity, passion and creativity.
Like many a small company, they rarely grow up as you planned, which in itself is wonderful and perhaps what makes being an independent so special. Blueprint Beauts, alongside our other publications, Farmhouse Fabulous, Neu Heritage and Casa Gorgeous, capture the contrarian spirit of The Aficionados family, each hotel and partner having something that makes them standout beacons of personality in a world of cookie-cutters.
Pop online, and you’ll discover more - a Wunderkammer of travel treasures, makers and
products which share a cohesive love of detail, provenance and integrity, plus a coalesce of places to stay made by dreamers.
Creative souls are the kindred thread that knits our emporium neatly together and enables us to be gorgeously random as the arbiters of good taste, diversity and creativity. Going against the grain, swimming upstream and having integrity are the hallmarks of such people that have made us smile over the years and have shaped who we are today.
I sincerely hope you like this edition of Blueprint Beauts featuring just some of the more dramatic outposts from our hotel collection, the wow-factor bastions of marked cool. Here, there and not everywhere – live life well amigos, give diversity a mighty hug and let’s keep connecting those wonderful dots of creativity, the embodiment of which makes us who we are: The Aficionados.
Hugs Iain Ainsworth, Founder
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