La Plage Casadelmar, Corsica

On the shores of Corsica's Porto-Vecchio, La Plage Casadelmar, a 15-suite boutique hotel will soon be opening its doors. Beloved French architect Jean-François Bodin, also responsible for creating the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine in Paris, took an old stone structure then used natural materials and simple lines to add a contemporary blend to the coastal surroundings.

To Gian Luca Bertilaccio, General Manager of La Plage Casadelmar, “Good design is about bringing out the best in your materials.” The hotelier continued to explain that he feels blessed to be in Corsica "because what is at hand is marvelous. The light here is pure and crisp. The elements, the colors, the food, the warmth you get from the people, these are all our raw ingredients. Our passion is to make these raw ingredients inspire us to create a hotel that has a genuine goodness about it. That is what this project is really about.” Bertilaccio uplifting design philosophy is what paved the way for Bodin's architectural concept.

Bertilaccio used the natural treasures of the island of Corsica as inspiration. Corsica is well-known as a chic, seaside holiday destination. Set directly on a private, white sand beach in the bay of Porto-Vecchio, the hotel has uninterrupted views of the surrounding bay. Within easy reach is the charming old town, teeming with glitzy boutiques, international dining, lively bars and quaint architecture, all topped off by a laid-back seaside vibe. Just south of Porto-Vecchio are two of Corsica’s most famous beaches, Palombaggia and Santa Guilia, and in the summer, the modern harbor is flooded with luxury yachts and ferries.

An establishment that is privileged enough to have ocean front property is destined to showcase it. Bertilaccio added a series of twisted triangular tents over teak wood terraces to enhance the contemporary aesthetic. An arrangement of comfy conversational furnishings constructed out of earthy materials allows for hotel guests to eat, drink, and enjoy the views.

Inside and out, old stone has been blended with volcanic rock, resin, glass and 300 year-old oak, while the color scheme draws from the Corsican shoreline, with moss and olive couches, bright turquoise cushions, sandy browns, white and cream. The rooms follow a similar color palette and are decorated with lush plants and plush furnishings.

Everything here is inspired by life on the beach, from the outdoor day beds to the natural woven fibers and pastel colors. To add artistic depth to the property, the design team introduced decorative pieces collected from world travels, and the casual, savoir-vivre lifestyle of Porto-Vecchio.