THDP Blend Bespoke Craftsmanship, Tactile Materials, and Immersive Sensory Elements

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a refined wellness experience by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, THDP.

De Montel: Terme Milano is a transformative spa project by THDP, restoring Milan’s historic 1920s Scuderie into the city’s largest urban thermal complex. Merging Art Nouveau elegance with sustainable innovation, the design honors the site’s equestrian past while showcasing Milan’s only certified thermal waters. Spanning 16,000 sqm, the interiors blend bespoke craftsmanship, tactile materials, and immersive sensory elements inspired by water, nature, and heritage. Every detail—from custom lighting to spa layouts—creates a refined wellness experience. This unique restoration sets a new benchmark for heritage-led design, fusing tradition, well-being, and environmental responsibility in an urban sanctuary.

What was the client’s brief?

The client asked us to restore and transform the historic Scuderie De Montel into a contemporary urban thermal spa for Milan, while preserving the soul of the building. The brief was to create a place dedicated to relaxation and well-being that would balance tradition and innovation, respect the Art Nouveau heritage, and integrate the unique thermal waters into a modern wellness journey.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our inspiration came from three pillars: the elegance of Milanese Art Nouveau, the equestrian heritage of the stables, and the transformative power of water. These themes guided the interiors, where bespoke details recall the building’s equestrian past, Art Nouveau forms celebrate its architecture, and water-inspired materials immerse guests in a sensory journey.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The greatest challenge was balancing faithful restoration with contemporary functionality. Working under the supervision of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape meant every design choice had to honour the original architecture while still delivering modern wellness spaces. Integrating innovative solutions into a protected historic building required sensitivity, creativity, and precision.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the transformation of the abandoned Scuderie into a vibrant wellness destination was the true highlight. The moment the bespoke lighting installations (such as the Venetian glass discs and floating glass bubbles) came to life, we felt we had captured both the history and future of the space. Bringing light, water, and heritage together into a harmonious experience was incredibly rewarding.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

THDP deeply value the recognition of design excellence on an international level. The SBID Awards provide a platform to showcase projects that combine heritage, storytelling, and innovation. For us, entering was about sharing the journey of De Montel: Terme Milano with a wider audience and celebrating the collaborative effort behind it.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist is both an honour and a validation of our approach to design. It affirms our commitment to creating immersive experiences that respect history while embracing the future. For our studio, it strengthens our international profile, motivates our team, and builds confidence in our clients that we can deliver meaningful, world-class design.

Questions answered by Claudia Mazzucato, Associate Director & Project Leader of THDP.