Master of Time and Space

Master of Time and Space
Taking inspiration from the interior of a Boeing 747, dancer-turned-arch itect Leonardo Annecca transforms a tunnel-like space into a beautifully finished lounge restaurant in Syracuse, Sicily.

Syracuse is a city long accustomed to conflict. Having been founded by the Greeks on the tiny island of Ortygia, now connected to mainland Syracuse (on the Italian island of Sicily) by bridges, it was ruled by a succession of invaders, each ousted by the following arrivals. Even during periods of political calm, Syracusans had little respite; the city sits atop a meeting of tectonic plates and is periodically rocked by earthquakes. As the result of a particularly severe quake in 1693, the majority of Ortygia's existing buildings date from the early 18th century. The legacy of these disasters is a set of highly restrictive planning regulations imposed by local authorities.

In an attempt to attract a greater percentage of tourists due to arrive nearby when newly extended Catania Airport opens at the end of 2004, the local government of Syracuse has invested considerable sums in cleaning up the city centre. Some time ago, while plans were still under discussion, Dambaloo, an astute group of young Italian developers, snapped up an abandoned property on via Roma, Ortygia's main thoroughfare.