Eclecticism Mixes with Tradition

By KATIE SMITH

Motuvun is a picturesque hilltop town in the countryside of Istria in Croatia. The Motuvun Forest at its base produces the region’s famous truffles and brings many visitors to the area. The views are spectacular, overlooking the verdant valley below as well as its vineyards. Naturally, when Mladen Rožanić opened his boutique hotel, he aptly named it Roxanich, which simply translates to good red wine.

The boutique hotel sits on a hillside and was designed by Idis Turato. Turato’s sleek creation lies in the heart of an emerging culinary area, surrounded by vineyards and the Livade truffle forests. The historical building turned hotel stands near the Motuvun cellar overlooking the Mirna River Valley.

Photo Credi: Zumtobel

Roxanich is a blend of contemporary and traditional with its large glass exterior, natural stone buildings and green shutters, reminiscent of old Istria. The four-floor building holds thirty-two unique bedrooms, a restaurant, an event room, spa, lounge, club, wine cellars, winemaking, and many others. Turato wanted the lighting to evoke emotion and deeply connect with the architecture of the hotel. With Zumtobel on board, he easily integrated black-coated controllable lighting systems. To create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, 3000K light fixtures are utilized throughout. Downlights are used to maintain energy efficiency, and in keeping with Turato’s sophisticated design, light sources are almost invisible.

Photo Credi: Zumtobel

In the hallways, lights are aimed to bring attention to specific design elements. General lighting contributes to elevate the surroundings. Vintage light fixtures are used in the restaurant, creating islands of light. The wine cellar holds a lightweight and highly resistant fixture with special optics to prevent glare. The lighting design wouldn’t be complete without the controls that manage all lighting.

Photo Credi: Zumtobel

Lighting design in a place that mixes traditional culture, modern design, and beautiful natural surroundings can be difficult. Lighting should highlight these features, not distract from them. Turato and Zumbotel met the challenges, and the result is a sublime getaway in the hills of Croatia. ■