# Converted Bridge Vacation Homes The Solar Highway Residences is Built On an Old Viaduct By Trenton Millar | Published 2012-10-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-highway-residences References: [weburbanist](http://weburbanist.com/2012/10/11/rebuilding-infrastructure-viaduct-turned-holiday-home/) The Solar Highway Residences are currently being constructed in Southern Italy. Built using an unfinished highway bridge from Salerno to Reggio Calabria from the 1960s, the residences are meant to be [vacation homes for Northern Europeans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patio-house-residence) who need to get a little sun and warmth. The Solar Highway Residences are being constructed because French firms OFF Architecture, PR Architect and Samuel Nageotte won the [Solar Park International Design Competition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-wanda). The units are down from the structural supports of the old bridge, kind of like an upside-down skyscraper. The top of the bridge will be converted into a pedestrian walkway, and roads will be built from the bottom of the towers to nearby towns, that are no doubt excited to finally have some roads coming towards them after 50 years of their highway being in purgatory. Lastly, nearby Mt.Etna may be able to power the whole area with geothermal power. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Home](https://www.trendhunter.com/home) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Vacation Home Conversion:** The trend of converting unconventional structures like old bridges into vacation homes presents an opportunity for innovative and unique accommodations. - **Solar Park Design:** The trend of designing solar parks offers opportunities for architects and developers to incorporate sustainable features into large-scale projects. - **Geothermal Power Utilization:** The trend of harnessing geothermal power from natural sources like Mt.Etna presents opportunities for creating self-sustainable communities and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality and Tourism:** The hospitality and tourism industry can explore the conversion of unconventional structures into vacation homes to provide customers with unique and memorable experiences. - **Architecture and Construction:** Architects and construction companies can leverage the trend of solar park design to create sustainable infrastructure projects for various purposes, including housing. - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can explore the utilization of geothermal power from natural sources like Mt.Etna to further expand the adoption of clean energy and reduce carbon emissions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Concrete-Supportive Bridged Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stempel-tesar.md) - [Glass Bridge-Connected Small Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pjcarchitecture.md) - [Solar-Powered Vineyard Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vineyard-building.md) - [Stilts-Reading Suspended Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-hole-with-the-house-around.md) - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Water-Powered Family Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breach-house.md) - [Off-Grid Solar Panel Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/florian-busch-architects.md) - [Modernized 1960s Villas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/castelli-romani.md) - [Renovated Southern Italian Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-soleto.md)