Italian architect Gio Ponti is one of the most important architects and designers of the 20 century. An early adopter of modernism, he is credited with helping to renew Italian design after the Second World War through his design work, his writing, and his teaching.

As many of us dream of one day traveling again (I am currently devising an elaborate list of adventures), I thought I would share one of his projects -- the Parco de Principi Hotel in Sorrento, Italy.

When it was completed in 1962, it represented a new kind of architecture for the town. Sorrento was ancient. The Parco de Principi was not. Ornament had been removed and its rooms consisted of largely two colors: white and blue.

Here is a photo by Rich Stapleton:

In some ways this feels like a dreadfully obvious approach. Let's celebrate and frame views of the Bay of Naples, and introduce the color blue while doing that. But the results are clearly anything but dreadful.

Ponti was more than just an architect, he was more broadly a designer. His furniture and industrial designs are also widely celebrated. And this attention to detail at multiple scales can make all the difference in the world.

For more photos of Parco dei Principi, click here.