A unique relationship with the landscape

Its identity stems from the desire to interpret a place rather than construct an image. This philosophy lies at the heart of Terradamari Resort & Spa, a project by Chiara Caberlon Studio located on the Punta Regilione promontory in Marina di Modica. As its name suggests, this is a special place where the land of Sicily meets the Mediterranean Sea.

Here, in the south-eastern part of the island, a region rich in art, history, landscape and culture, a building has been given a new lease of life. “A hospitality facility built in the 1960s and never fully completed has been transformed into a contemporary resort, capable of establishing an authentic relationship with its surroundings while meeting international hospitality standards,” explains architect Chiara Caberlon, whose studio was responsible for the interior design. More than a simple architectural redevelopment or a folkloric interpretation of local traditions, Terradamari was conceived to belong to its setting, reflecting its intense light, its colours, from the mineral shades of the dunes to those of the Mediterranean vegetation, and its natural rhythms. The existing building, with its strong architectural presence and privileged relationship with the surrounding landscape, could have represented a constraint. Instead, it was reinterpreted as one of the project’s defining features. “The concept revolves around the continuous relationship between land and sea, materials and light, and indoor and outdoor spaces. The local landscape is a constant presence throughout the project, but never in an overly literal way. We preferred to draw inspiration from Sicily and convey its atmosphere through materials, textures, colours and details,” Caberlon explains. Local craftsmanship and material culture have also been reinterpreted through a contemporary design language. Within the 12,000 sqm seafront property, the communal areas are conceived as open, fluid and convivial spaces, organised to create a gradual transition from the hotel’s public areas to the more intimate atmosphere of its 42 guest rooms, including 39 suites. Particular attention was paid to visual continuity between the spaces and, above all, to their relationship with the outdoors. There is no clear separation between interior and exterior, and the landscape – especially the sea, visible from every point – becomes an integral part of the design. In the spa, this relationship with the surrounding environment becomes even more intimate. Conceived as a sensory experience, the space places particular emphasis on materials, light and the tactile qualities of surfaces.

More generally, Terradamari Resort favours a dialogue between materials, avoiding excessive decoration to convey a sense of naturalness and authenticity throughout the project. Ceramics play an important role, used not merely as a technical covering material but as an integral part of the hotel’s material language, expressed through textures, shades and subtle surface variations. In particular, the collections selected from Ceramica S. Agostino and Ceramica Fioranese offer contemporary interpretations of mineral and natural surfaces while providing durability and ease of maintenance thanks to their functional properties.

“We started with the traditional use of ceramics for floors and wall coverings, then extended their application to table tops and the restaurant’s wall panelling, as well as lamps inspired by the colours of Sicily, which were installed in the communal areas,” the architect explains.

The interior design project is complemented by a brand narrative developed in collaboration with Communication Juice and encapsulated in the tagline “Sense the Soul of Sicily”, which evokes a more authentic and ancestral vision of the island. With its distinctive identity and international hospitality standards, Terradamari Resort & Spa is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The project won the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition 2026 in the Commercial category.