La Monastica Resort & SPA is a premier destination for those seeking a rejuvenating break amidst the historical and landscape beauty of Tuscany. Housed in the former Monastery of Santa Scolastica, in the medieval village of Buggiano Castello in Valdinievole, the building, inaugurated in August 2024, welcomes its guests with 19 rooms and suites, a restaurant featuring distinct areas, a refined spa, a large terraced garden, and two swimming pools.
To enhance the expansive outdoor space, Stefania Arrighetti, CEO of Monastero del Castello Srl (which owns the resort), along with her father, personally oversaw every decision, including product selection, ultimately choosing Platek for its signature balance of aesthetics and functionality. Products from the Flamingo collection, designed by Sara Moroni, along with the Mini and Micro series – recessed products developed by Platek’s R&D team – discreetly and harmoniously illuminate the landscape with a thoughtful blend of technical and decorative lighting to highlight details across the various green areas, delivering the right amount and quality of light.
The garden, divided into nine terraces that follow the ancient contours of the medieval land, overlooks Valdinievole with a breathtaking panoramic view. Bordered by stone walls and historical towers, the terraces are home to a lush and resilient vegetation that transforms with the seasons. In this setting, lighting plays a key role in integrating with the landscape, guiding visitors on a journey through nature and tranquility without being intrusive.
Flamingo elegantly lights up the facades of the ancient walls and much of the walkways, while Mini and Micro accentuate the towering trees across the various garden zones, all without disturbing the tranquillity of the place. A type of lighting that does not dominate but rather caresses, turning the space into a nocturnal canvas where nature is the main subject.
Two of the terraces feature misted-water pools that blend perfectly with the surroundings. Here, the visual effect of the light reflecting on the water amplifies the sense of calm and wellbeing. The natural symphony of birdsong, rustling leaves, and the scent of citrus accompanies guests on a unique sensory experience.
Thanks to the nearby river, the microclimate remains mild year-round, which fosters the lushness of the greenery. Each terrace is a small oasis that invites the guests to slow down, read, and breathe. In this setting, light is not merely functional; it is an integral part of the experience.
La Monastica Resort & SPA is a recent example of how Platek, through meticulous lighting design, enhances materials, volumes, and structural details, creating evocative and dynamic scenery.
But that’s not all. Beyond aesthetics, for Platek, it is essential to guarantee efficient and environmentally conscious lighting, reducing light pollution and optimizing energy consumption. These goals are achieved through in-house research and development in optics.
Platek interprets these trends through an innovative design approach, offering solutions that combine technology, aesthetics, and functionality to create increasingly welcoming and sustainable outdoor spaces. Striking a balance between form, thanks to collaborations with international designers, and technology for overall visual wellbeing, Platek creates outdoor environments that are both welcoming and stimulating.
Photo Credit: Ottavio Tomasini
