Ospitalità produttiva. Gli hotel come nuovi spazi del lavoro contemporaneo

The idea that work should take place in stable and defined spaces has been progressively questioned by economic, technological, and cultural transformations that have made work life more mobile and hybrid (De Masi 2020). The very concept of the “workplace” has expanded to include places once considered unrelated to the work experience, such as homes, libraries, cafés, and increasingly, hotels. In this hybrid scenario, hospitality and work begin to overlap, giving rise to new architectural and relational typologies (Misino 2018). The hotel, traditionally conceived as a neutral, standardized, and transitional space, today becomes a livable and productive environment, where stays can be extended, personalized, and integrated with work activities. This transformation goes beyond simply adapting spaces; it involves rethinking the architecture of hospitality to accommodate new ways of living and working, structurally redefining the spatial devices that shape the contemporary hotel. These structures are increasingly designed as complex and layered environments: shared coworking spaces, hybrid areas between private and public, rooms equipped for work, and common spaces that can be activated and opened to the surrounding area. The hotel thus emerges as a dynamic device, capable of responding to the needs of temporary communities and fostering new forms of interaction. Alongside this shift, the phenomenon of digital nomadism has become increasingly significant, influencing how individuals navigate mobility and work in contemporary society (Makimoto T., Manners D. 1997). With the freedom to live and work across borders, the digital nomad blurs the lines between professional and personal life. These changes also impact the way temporary communities form and interact, especially in environments that blend work, leisure, and social spaces. The Social Hub (formerly The Student Hotel ) and Zoku are two paradigmatic case studies that exemplify these shifts in the hospitality and work spheres. The Social Hub, hosts diverse communities of students, researchers, and freelancers, offering flexible spaces, coworking areas, and collective environments that connect directly to the urban context. In particular, coastal locations such as Barcelona, San Sebastián, and Porto stand out as key examples of how the hotel concept merges with the socio-economic and cultural life of vibrant coastal cities. Both models extend hospitality beyond traditional comfort, incorporating work into the design and culture of the space. Through these case studies, it becomes clear how the contemporary hotel is evolving into a space for experimentation and innovation in how we live and work. Temporality, once associated with alienation, now offers the potential for new forms of engagement with the surrounding area and the creation of meaningful connections. The merging of hospitality and work reflects a broader cultural shift towards more fluid, hybrid environments that challenge traditional boundaries and offer new opportunities for interaction, creativity, and collaboration.