The former San Maurizio monastery dates back to 1619 and it has been the memory of local knowledge and traditions for four hundred years, a place of culture of food, wine and wellness, for body and soul.
The preservation and the divulgation of this heritage are intrinsic and essential finalities.
The development of the concepts, Truffle Bistrot and Skin Care, are the natural consequence, aiming to tell the soul of San Maurizio outside from the local territory, without divert focus from the presentation of the items in the store.
Volumes are simple by choice and materials are typically local, the characteristic decorative elements come from the drawings designed on purpose by artist Nicola Oliveri, inspired by botanical monastic documentations. The essences of the products are crystallized inside the resin artworks of designer Marco Stefanelli.
After two months of work, in November 2015 San Maurizio 1619 opened his first flagship store in Turin.
The store sells the wellness products born from the experience in Santo Stefano Belbo’s spa: creams and serums made from natural ingredients from the Langhe (hazelnuts, grape seeds, pomegranates and so on) together with small production of accessories (bags, scarfs, capes),
made by selected craftsmen.
The idea of this project paid attention to the enhancement of what already existed and its integration with new elements, so the pavements made by cementine tiles in the entry is combined with the new cementitious floor, as well as the brick vaults counteracts the new volumes of the cash desk and warehouse area.
The main selling space is characterized by a large display element which put together ideas, materials and sensations from the Langhe: made by old farm beams recovered and re-assembled, the display is furtherly characterized by water: above the beams, a duct makes water flow between two metal cylinder placed under the end of the display.
The entry, aligned with the reception/cash desk, is punctuated by a serie of square displays which shows both the product and his relative raw materials; these, immersed in a transparent resin, are enlightened in thickness so hazelnuts and pomegranate, for example, can look luminescent.
The cash desk ideally opens the space behind and outlines its character thanks to the use of the iron, the tapestry with drawings by Nicola Oliveri and Langhe stones. The adjacent area is more domestic: a carpeted platform covered in glass and complemented by a small stone basin and introduces to the test area.