Portofino Pizzeria | Lab4 Architects

Portofino is a worldwidely renown Italian resort with millions of visitors every year. Its Mediterranean landscape meets wonderful Italian architectural masterpieces.
"Portofino Pizzeria" is a historical pizzeria - trattoria which is located in Chalandri, Athens. It is the first pizzeria in Greece which brought the authentic recipe of Italian - Canadian pizza. Its owners created also the first pizzeria chain stores in Greece making their unique dishes widely known and popular.
The owners trusted to Lab4 architects to redesign the interior space as well as to makeover the exterior elevations.
The design intention was to promote a Mediterranean atmosphere combining both the seaside elements of Portofino such as dark RAF blue colors and bronze lights with Italian architecture features and materials such as geometric pattern tiles, concrete plasters and others.
The main seating area - "sala" was designed in such way that it would remind a typical Italian courtyard, taking inspiration by Portofino neighborhoods. A central wall was selected to be the reference point of the "sala" around of which clients would gather and communicate through food process. Red beige plaster creates a sense of warmness which contributes to this direction. Wooden shelves portray the cooking tools and materials of Italian cuisine while moving shutters surround them, making the wall change form whenever needed.
Panels made of wood (painted in olive shades) and glass surround the main seating area and separate it from the other auxiliary spaces such as the entrance hall and the kitchen. Their placement create a cozy atmosphere, making the "Italian scenery" more intense. At the same time they permit the optical connection with its surroundings such as in the case of entrance hall giving to the clients the sense of welcome and Italian warm hospitality.