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Pine to Sea: An Award-Winning Eco-Hotel and Landscape Masterplan Harmonizing Tourism and Nature in Lignano, Italy

Pine to Sea, designed by Yanci Chen and her team, has been recognized with the prestigious Bronze A' Design Award in City Planning and Urban Design for 2025. Located in Lignano, Italy, this pioneering project addresses the delicate balance between tourism and ecological preservation by transforming degraded pinewood landscapes into a model of sustainable hospitality and environmental stewardship. The masterplan features a modular eco-hotel complex with elevated cabins, floating walkways, and reforested wetlands, all meticulously designed to minimize human impact while maximizing guest immersion in nature.

Inspired by extensive research on coastal reforestation and habitat regeneration, Pine to Sea employs innovative construction techniques such as lightweight timber modules, elevated steel foundations, and prefabrication to protect the fragile ecosystem. The site's 12,000m² masterplan incorporates rainwater harvesting, passive cooling, solar energy, and adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure, ensuring a low-carbon footprint and long-term ecological resilience. Elevated walkways and cabins allow visitors to experience the pine forest and wetlands up close, while protecting sensitive habitats and enhancing biodiversity.

The project's immersive eco-tourism experience is further enriched by reforested trails, wetland observation decks, and adaptive public spaces that foster a deep connection between guests and the environment. Pine to Sea's design process overcame significant challenges, including strict zoning, water management complexities, and the need for interdisciplinary research on reforestation impacts. The result is a transformative model for eco-hospitality that not only preserves but actively restores natural landscapes, setting a new standard for sustainable tourism development worldwide.

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