- / Impegno civile
Tra neuroplasticità, memoria ed emozione, l’intelligenza umana resta un territorio non replicabile: così il cervello diventa l’ultimo archivio vivente e creativo
ISSUE NO. 31
Amid the gentle, fertile folds of the Piedmontese wine landscape, where the orderly lines of vineyards alternate with ancient oak, beech, and chestnut forests, lies Casa di Langa—a five-star resort that has made sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—its strategic compass. Opened in spring 2021, the property spans 42 hectares between Cerretto Langhe and Serralunga d’Alba and embodies a project of architectural and territorial regeneration: reclaiming an abandoned construction site, transforming it into a hub for responsible tourism, and returning to the land a replicable model of circular economy.
Casa di Langa is the result of an ambitious restoration project, originally conceived as a scattered hotel with a wellness center and spa—an idea that was later abandoned around 2010. For years, the structure remained unfinished, until it was acquired in 2017. After a meticulous renovation process, construction was completed in 2019, and the official opening followed in 2021.
Casa di Langa is owned by the Krause Group, an American holding company led by entrepreneur Kyle J. Krause, known in Italy for acquiring the historic wineries Vietti and Enrico Serafino, as well as Parma Calcio 1913. Grounded in a long-term entrepreneurial philosophy focused on community well-being, the group allocates 10% of its profits to nonprofit organizations and territorial development projects.
Casa di Langa fully embodies these values: born from the revival of an unfinished structure, it has been completely reimagined and restored with the goal of leaving a lasting, positive impact on both the environment and the local culture. Nestled on a hilly, 700-meter-high property in the heart of Alta Langa—an area known for its rugged, wooded terrain, in contrast to the softer Barolo hills—the resort sits in a UNESCO-listed landscape of vineyards, native forests, hazelnut groves, and small stone villages.
The building blends discreetly into this setting with its horseshoe-shaped architecture inspired by traditional Piedmontese farmsteads, featuring internal courtyards, terracotta brick grilles, sloped roofs, and natural plaster finishes. The architectural design was curated by GaS Studio (exterior) and Parisotto + Formenton Architetti (interior design).
The concept is deeply rooted in local identity but reinterpreted through contemporary, functional, and sustainable solutions. The result is an elegant and understated property where every color and material choice stems from a careful analysis of the seasons, the land, and the region’s vernacular architecture.
From a construction standpoint, Casa di Langa is a virtuous example of conscious reuse. Most materials from the pre-existing structure were either repurposed or reintroduced into the local building supply chain. Interiors use only natural materials: locally sourced Luserna stone for bathrooms and flooring; walls finished with raw earth plasters by architect-craftsman Matteo Brioni; and 100% recycled terracotta adorning the common areas.
Bricks, stones, plasters, floors, and fabrics were all selected to reflect the organic colors of the land, tree canopies, and the changing foliage before and after harvest. Everything echoes nature and local architecture: rough, imperfect surface textures, and the living green element that envelops and permeates the structure inside and out.
All wood elements—from flooring to beams—come from FSC-certified forests and are treated without formaldehyde. Furnishings are by top Italian designers: B&B Italia, Cassina, DePadova, Meridiani, and Emu for outdoor pieces. Mattresses are handcrafted by Midsummer Milano using only natural fibers like wool, cotton, and silk. Textile details are custom-designed and often handmade by local artisans, enhancing the authenticity of the project.
Sustainability at Casa di Langa is not just aesthetic or philosophical—it’s operational. The resort aims to be carbon neutral, striving to minimize its ecological footprint. Its energy needs are met through a combination of photovoltaic and geothermal systems, solar thermal panels, and certified renewable energy sources. Water used throughout the resort—from guest rooms to vineyard irrigation—comes exclusively from on-site wells, supplemented by a rainwater collection system.
A strict plastic-free policy is enforced across all departments: non-compostable disposable items are banned, in favor of recycled and biodegradable materials. In the kitchen, food waste is minimized through an internal composting system that transforms vegetable scraps into fertilizer for the resort’s organic garden.
The heart of the resort is its large internal courtyard—an open yet sheltered space with sweeping views of the surrounding hills. Materials like terracotta tiles, bricks, and brick grilles echo those of historic local farmhouses, reinterpreted with formal clarity and simplicity. The pool, located on the most panoramic side of the property, is heated and open from mid-May to October. There is no direct access from the main building, encouraging a sense of retreat and immersion in nature; guests reach it by foot via garden paths or through the restaurant.
On clear days, you can see as far as Monviso, standing majestically on the horizon like a silent guardian of this ancient, industrious land. Across the valley, the landscape is dominated by the Castle of Serralunga d’Alba—a 14th-century fortress built between 1340 and 1357 by the Falletti family. A rare Italian example of a French-style castle with overlapping cylindrical and square towers, it houses 15th-century frescoes depicting the martyrdom of Saint Catherine and the legendary “well of oblivion.” The ramparts offer 360° views over the UNESCO hills.
The spa is an intimate, private space: access is always exclusive and included in the room rate, featuring a 50-minute circuit with sauna, hot tub, sensory showers, and relaxation area. Personalized treatments and massages can be booked in dedicated rooms.
The landscape at Casa di Langa is not merely decorative but also productive. In addition to vineyards supplying the group’s sister wineries for Alta Langa DOCG production, the estate cultivates seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs, and medicinal plants in an integrated system following organic agriculture principles.
Sections of land have been reforested, and native species planted to increase biodiversity and reduce human impact on the soil. Near the restaurant, a terraced vegetable garden features raised beds where lavender, sage, rosemary, and other herbs grow. Higher up are a small orchard and a greenhouse, which guests can visit on request.
The culinary offering at Casa di Langa is led by Fàula Ristorante. The name Fàula, meaning “story” in the Piedmontese dialect, is a mission statement: each dish tells a tale of seasonality, short supply chains, and environmental care. Ingredients, where not grown on-site, are sourced from carefully selected local producers. The menu changes frequently to reflect natural cycles. Alongside the fine dining restaurant, the resort features a more casual bistro, a cocktail bar, and a wine cellar where guests can sample wines from sister wineries and take part in guided tastings of the Langhe terroir.
Daniel Zeilinga (Merano, 1989), trained in top Michelin-starred kitchens—Schöneck, Louis C. Jacob, La Ciau del Tornavento, three-starred Piazza Duomo, and Osteria Arborina (where he earned one star)—has been executive chef of Fàula since 2022, overseeing the entire resort’s food program.
“Everything here conveys a sense of positivity and authenticity. This is also reflected in my cuisine: I always try to highlight the color palette of the dishes, which is inspired directly by what I see outside the window. The cascade of greens, the flowers, the warm earth tones… every season brings new inspiration,” says Zeilinga.
“Piedmont is a gastronomically rich region. I’ve come to know it gradually, and now I feel deeply connected to this land. Ingredients like hazelnuts, white and black truffles, alpine cheeses, and local vegetables have become integral to my cooking.”
“We’ve built a network of small local producers who share our philosophy. We source cheeses from affineurs in nearby valleys. Our honey is produced in the truffle forest next to the resort using solar-powered hives. Meats come from selected regional farmers, and the fish—never farmed—is exclusively wild-caught by Matteo, a supplier who attends daily auctions in Liguria and the Côte d’Azur to guarantee peak freshness and quality.”
The garden is a central element of the project. “Right now, we’re using many aromatic herbs, edible flowers, fava beans, peas, snow peas, asparagus, strawberries, and small fruits. We’re harvesting mulberries growing spontaneously on the hillside behind the property: we use them to make sauces that accompany fish dishes, for instance. In summer we have tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants; in autumn, turnips, chard, and cabbages. We also work with an external garden managed by a farmer who grows exclusively for the restaurant using sustainable methods.”
On the management side: “I believe in building a healthy, sustainable work environment for the team. We ensure two consecutive days off, balanced shifts, and tangible benefits. Every year, we strive to improve, especially in training and well-being. The kitchen is a collective journey.”
Casa di Langa also hosts a contemporary art collection featuring works by Italian and American artists scattered throughout the interiors and gardens. It’s not mere decoration, but an ongoing dialogue between nature, architecture, and creativity.
ISSUE NO. 31
Lampoon is a cultural magazine.
Culture today means sustainability – in its honest meaning.
Culture has always been about human respect, tolerance. It’s not only about accepting human diversity but it’s about searching for the beauty of every human peculiarity.
Inclusion is the first value that defines art. Culture today means one thing only: to be part of a community, to think as a community.
Reading Lampoon, you see that these themes are smoothly aligned. A good part of the articles’ content discusses practices to restore our environment and stories about understanding the others.
Reading Lampoon, you find a dialogue between science and creativity. From sharp and edgy photo sessions to fashion, architecture, technology – the commitment is dedicated to a future that is all about us – together.
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