National Park · 1060m · Near-zero carbon · NEB Network

Where leadership
teams find purpose.
Where creativity
finds form.

Girotondo Horizons is a regenerative retreat and innovation hub in the Appennino Reggiano — hosting strategic leadership retreats, creative residencies, design workshops and Reroot Appennino, a cultural programme for the mountain territory.

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360° panoramic view from Girotondo Horizons at 1060m in the National Park of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, Italy
1060m
National Park altitude
5
Awards 2023–2025
400+
Students engaged
Our mission

We create the conditions for people to think differently, make things and reconnect with what matters — through immersive programmes in a regenerative mountain retreat at the heart of the Appennino Reggiano.

What we offer

Three ways to
work with Girotondo Horizons

For leadership teams & organisations

Strategic Leadership Retreats

From a focused day retreat to a multi-day residential programme — we design and facilitate experiences that give your team space to think, create and decide together. Each programme combines structured facilitation with hands-on making in our FabLab and immersion in the mountain landscape.

Facilitated by Julia Lydall Pisano: MRICS Chartered Surveyor, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, former Senior Cost Manager on London's Crossrail project.

Day retreatsResidentialUp to 20 peopleFabLab included
See retreat programmes
For artists, designers & universities

Creative Residencies & Workshops

Time, tools and territory in a National Park. Individual residencies of one to three months for artists, architects and designers. Five to ten day design-build workshops for university cohorts.

In partnership with Politecnico di Milano and IUAV Venezia. On-site FabLab with CNC routing, 3D printing and circular plastic fabrication.

PoliMi · IUAV1–3 month staysFabLab on siteMentored
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A cultural & territorial programme

Reroot Appennino

A co-created cultural programme and regional marketing initiative built in collaboration with the best entrepreneurs, artisans, producers and institutions already active in the Appennino Reggiano.

Together we are weaving the region's innovation, landscape, food, craft and cultural heritage into a living, sustainable tourism experience.

Sustainable tourismRegional collaborationNEB networkNational Park
Discover Reroot Appennino
Recognition
Restructura Award 2024"From Worst to Best" · Sustainable Construction · Turin
ENEA Publication 2023Best practice · AAA Humanising Energy · PoliMi · IUAV · UniMi
New European BauhausMember · European Commission network
NOI Incubation 2025European Regional Development Funds · Reggio Emilia
International Rural Development Award 2024Innovation in mountain territory
Girotondo Horizons — the property and garden in the Appennino Reggiano
Restructura Award 2024

The venue

A 1950s mountain hotel.
Full sustainable refurbishment.

Six hundred square metres of co-living and making space at 1,060 metres above sea level, in the heart of a UNESCO heritage national park. Improved from energy class G to B — cork insulation, triple glazing, an 11kW photovoltaic array. A professional FabLab on solar power. Permaculture gardens. Zero-emission transport. A place where creativity takes shape.

600m²
Co-living & making
G → B
Energy class
11kW
Photovoltaic
See the full venue

In their own words

"An amazing gem in the heart of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, surrounded by iconic cliffs, snow-covered mountain tops and waterfalls. The hosts will make you feel at home and surprise you with their extreme attention to detail — from food to on-site activities, nothing is left less than great."

Giovanni Cirillo · ★★★★★ Google Review

"A special location — a true work of modern architecture and green building. Spectacular views, surrounded by nature. Excellent Wi-Fi allows you to work, concentrate or relax. The owners are a rare gem — they truly make you feel at home."

Maria Giulia Farina · ★★★★★ Google Review

"I had such a wonderful stay with the family. My private room was quiet and cosy with a gorgeous view of the mountain range. Having a peaceful place to work and gain inspiration was really nice. Twice a week, a yoga class in the evenings — a great way to unwind after a long day of work."

Zoe Luglan · ★★★★★ Coliving.com · Six-week stay

Julia Lydall Pisano and Antonio Pisanò, founders of Girotondo Horizons, on site in the Appennino Reggiano
Julia & Antonio Pisanò
Founders · On site

Who we are

Julia &
Antonio Pisanò

Founders · Living on site · Running every programme personally

We spent fifteen years building careers in London — Julia as a Senior Cost Manager on projects including Crossrail's Canary Wharf station, Antonio as the founding director of Marcel Mauer Architecture. We met at the Houses of Parliament. We moved to Italy in 2020, found a derelict mountain hostel surrounded by a UNESCO national park, and transformed it into Girotondo Mountain Retreat.

MRICS Chartered Surveyor Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Crossrail · Turner & Townsend Marcel Mauer Architecture CAIRE Consorzio New European Bauhaus
Read our story

From the Journal

Recent projects & workshops

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Maglietica upcycling design workshop with Politecnico di Milano at Girotondo Horizons, July 2025 Textiles · Workshop
July 2025

Maglietica — Upcycling Design Workshop

20 students from Politecnico di Milano, four teams, four days, four beautifully crafted products made entirely from recycled textiles. Circular design in practice.

Read the project
Ventasso Lab STEM and sustainability workshops in English for local students aged 11-14 STEM · Education
March 2026

Ventasso Lab — STEM & Sustainability in English

A workshop series for students aged 11–14 combining sustainability, recycling, engineering challenges and design — all delivered in English.

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Ludo Labo game science research retreat at Girotondo Horizons, May 2025 Retreat · Research
May 2025

Ludo Labo — Game Science Research Retreat

Twenty statisticians, psychologists and game science researchers gathered for two days of board games, research and the launch of Radio Victory II.

Read the project

Every programme
starts with a
conversation.

We would love to hear what you are working towards — whether that is a team that needs space to think, a creative vision waiting to be realised, or a partnership that could bring something new to this territory. Share your ideas with us and we will explore together what Girotondo Horizons can offer you.

Start a conversation Visit the venue page

Girotondo SRL Benefit · New European Bauhaus member · National Park PNATE partner · Restructura Award 2024

Co-funded by the European Union — PSR Emilia-Romagna 2014-2020 LEADER and PNRR NextGenerationEU

Co-funded by the European Union. Energy efficiency works supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the PSR Emilia-Romagna 2014–2020, Measure 19 LEADER (GAL Antico Frignano e Appennino Reggiano). FabLab equipment, electric van and photovoltaic system funded through the PNRR — NextGenerationEU, M1C3 Investment 2.1 "Attrattività dei Borghi" (Ministero della Cultura). Full disclosure →