How many times have you listened to the slogan “ on vacation like at home”?

Probably many and many times, but in most cases it was not like at home after all.   On the other hand, there are those who, in addition to words, love facts and make them real: so Massimo and Piera, the owners of the beautiful Residence Trieste in Riva del Garda, wanted to create a series of apartments with the aim to recreate a familiar and accessible space for everyone.

So, we decided to ask them some questions and to tell us something about their story.  

Piera and Massimo, what does it mean for you to be “accessible” and “inclusive”?

Accessible means that our place is accessible to everyone. It means that all the people have the possibility to enjoy the same spaces and experiences without differences, without limits and / or obstacles.  

How did your project “accessible vacation” start?

Too many times we hear about the impossibility of access to public facilities, or accommodation facilities, for people with disabilities, and too often we are faced with discrimination given by the inability of our society to welcome everyone.  Our project comes from the desire to offer a place in which everyone can feel comfortable, with the possibility to enjoy the time during vacation. 

What is important to carry our an inclusive project?

The attention to the person, and the passion in what you do.

Did you find any difficulties during the design phase of the residence?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to find professionals informed about the elimination of architectural barriers and everything that is strictly connected to this topic. We had problems with the usual clichés like: “but it’s only an inch” ( referring to the door entrance ), but then everything went ok.

Which kind of advise would you like to give to all those people interested in the realization of an accessible structure?

To rely on professionals such as associations or companies that perfectly know the rules and especially the needs. The person has always to be the center of the project, and above all it is important to try to create a space that helps people feeling at home.

Thermomat, like you, believes in the creation of safe spaces able to guarantee the autonomy and the comfort for all. What are your future projects in this regard?

For sure, to continue with the construction of new apartments for everyone and above all to provide services that can make the holiday of travelers with disabilities rich in experiences, because we find that is unfair that tourism still fails to think inclusive and especially that the offer is very limited, or in some cases totally absent.