Regula 2025 Award Honours Stefano Tardito's Visionary Restoration of Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere

In the rolling vineyards of Piedmont's UNESCO-listed Langhe region, heritage has found a luminous new voice. Architect Stefano Tardito has been honoured with the prestigious R?gula 2025 Award in the Hospitality category for his masterful restoration of the 18th-century monastic complex now reborn as Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere.

Presented at the eighth edition of the R?gula | 100 Italian Projects Award in Milan, the accolade recognises architectural excellence that bridges innovation, urban regeneration, and environmental sustainability - celebrating projects that redefine Italy's cultural landscape.

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Tardito's restoration transforms the historic Borgo di Monchiero into a refined heritage hospitality destination without compromising its monastic soul. The jury commended the project for its delicate equilibrium between conservation and enhancement - a seamless integration of aesthetics, engineering innovation, and authentic historical research.

"This is a truly ambitious project based on a delicate balance between conservation and enhancement," Tardito reflects. "The monastery preserves its historical authenticity while evolving into immersive and seductive spaces where guests can enjoy unique experiences."

The result is a harmonious encounter between centuries - where cloisters whisper stories of devotion, and contemporary comforts unfold discreetly within ancient walls.

Atmosphere Core's European Debut

The award heightens anticipation for the official opening of Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere - the first Italian property by Atmosphere Core. When the group first announced its expansion to Europe with Borgo Monchiero Heritage in Italy, it signalled a bold new chapter for the Maldives-rooted hospitality brand. Set in the heart of Langhe - a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its Barolo vineyards and truffle-rich terroir - the project marks the group's inaugural step into Europe.

Owners Franco Giampetruzzi and Gian Maria Debenedetti describe the recognition as a celebration of both architectural brilliance and the enduring spirit of the property - reinforcing their commitment to preserving its legacy while welcoming a new chapter. The move into Piedmont complements the group's growing portfolio, which has recently seen its influence deepen across new geographies - from an elegant new luxury gateway in Guwahati's breathtaking landscapes to a luxury resort in Gurugram expanding the Indian portfolio.

A Monastery Reimagined as an Intimate Luxury Retreat

Perched on a hill overlooking vineyards and undulating countryside, the residence offers 19 rooms converted from ancient monastic cells - each defined by timeless design and contemplative elegance.

The restored private chapel now serves as a charming multi-purpose venue for intimate ceremonies and cultural gatherings. A restaurant with a dedicated wine room honours Piedmontese cuisine, while an elegant lounge bar inhabits frescoed rooms overlooking a panoramic swimming pool framed by the front garden. It is a vision of wine-country hospitality that aligns naturally with Atmosphere Core's deep appreciation for viticulture, evident in initiatives like their golden alliance with Bottega to elevate wine hospitality in the Maldives and the curated rich wine experiences across their Maldivian resorts.

Perhaps most evocative is the wellness sanctuary in the vaulted brick basement - where saunas, sensory showers, relaxation spaces and a heated pool have been installed within the monastery's original terracotta cistern. It is here that architecture becomes experience - history enveloping modern restoration.

Heritage as Living Narrative

Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere is more than a restoration - it is an architectural meditation on continuity. Guests will experience the R?gula-recognised craftsmanship firsthand through preserved cloisters, panoramic viewpoints and thoughtfully integrated contemporary comforts.

For global travellers, wine connoisseurs and admirers of authentic Piedmontese culture, the property offers not merely accommodation - but immersion in one of northern Italy's most evocative landscapes. India's growing appetite for vineyard tourism makes this opening particularly timely, as explored in our recent feature on what makes vineyard tourism India's latest elite travel obsession.

The R?gula recognition also arrives as Atmosphere Core continues to chart an ambitious global trajectory, recently outlined at the Atmosphere Core Summit charting a bold future for luxury hospitality. The group's commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious luxury, demonstrated across its eco-innovative OZEN COLLECTION properties in the Maldives, finds a natural parallel in Tardito's sensitive restoration philosophy. Meanwhile, its multiple World Travel Awards trophies underscore a brand that has earned global credibility well before its European debut.

In Langhe, history does not remain static. It evolves - gracefully, reverently, and now award-winningly.