La Viola | Arboit Limited - Design and Architecture

The Asian fascination for old-style European décor finds in this place a new interpretation. Decoration inspired by interiors of a 16th century high-ceiling Venetian palazzo is in this case a digital image specifically designed for the brand image of this company by Arboit ltd. These decorative elements are printed out on wallpaper with a fresco-like type of texture. Design of decorative frames and moldings printed on wallpaper blends with the real wooden moldings applied on top.                                              

Inspired by the surreal atmosphere of David Lynch’s movies the white powerful floor light stripe all along the perimeter of the room to dramatically illuminate the artworks making the walls looking like floating in the space between dark ceiling and dark floor.

By contrast with the aristocratic artworks digitally produced on computer and printed on wallpaper some concrete textured pillars are articulated to add spatial rhythm along the walls and contribute increasing the elegant perception of verticality of the 4 meters high walls making them looking higher than what they are. The textured antique mirrors located by each corners double the perspective view of the side walls making the space looking much bigger than reality. The choice of an exclusively grey tones color palette makes the space a perfectly subtle backdrop to highlight by contrast the vivid colors of served Italian food and wines making them the main characters on this stage. A modern interpretation of the classical Louis XVI chair is matched with dark mahogany tables and the futuristic looking “Aerodrome” lounge lamp designed by Alberto Puchetti for Northern Lighting find its own place in filling empty spaces and dialoguing very well with the design of the architecture. Dark gray concrete floor and the black painted open ceiling complete the design whose concept is all about a an edgy interpretation of the venetian palazzo by juxtaposing digitally edited fine classical décor, furniture and materials with modern and minimalist looking shapes and textures. The final result is meant to be quite spectacular looking for walkers passing by 2nd street, as the darkness of the small square in between the façade and the street surround the bright vision of the interior looking like the stage of a theatre.