Daste Bistrò | OKAM Studio

Okam Studio and Daniele Fazio Studio

We are in Bergamo, where the redevelopment of the former thermal power plant in the Celadina neighbourhood is creating an urban regeneration project and a social and cultural centre open to the city. There is a spirit of collaboration between the worlds of social inclusion, culture and entrepreneurship, in order to generate the energy of design where they used to produce electricity.

Inside a building with an industrial charm, which you can still see today, Okam Studio and Daniele Fazio Studio have gone to work in an eclectic, spectacular way: the former aims to promote the collective use of buildings. While the latter specialises in retail and catering planning.

The Bistrò is a two-storey space of about 400 sqm divided into two levels, featuring a direct relationship with the power plant’s large events space and the outdoor arena. Precisely due to its functional plan and location (the Bistrò is open from morning until evening with a variety of services offered: from breakfast to lunches and event refreshments), it is a dynamic space that can be modified depending on the needs and times.

Upholstered Lisa stools covered in velvet are placed alongside the linear bar counter, highlighted by a long built-in light: we also find these stools made from steel on wheels around the kitchen, designed as a moveable element of a space that can be reinvented as needed. The large tables suggest “social” times or cosier moments for two people: wood dominates and the Lisa chair comes in a natural version and with an enveloping backrest that becomes an armrest. Finally, there are the small sofas both on the ground floor and on the first floor of the two-storey building: the Lisa Lounge version used here in petrol blue velvet is bathed in natural light from the large industrial windows overlooking the outdoor arena.

The outdoor arena has not been forgotten either. The spaces here have been finished with metal furniture from the Summer outdoor series of tables and chairs designed by Roberto Semprini, with their colour and convenience enticing you into taking a break in the summer sun.

The rigour of cement, metal and glass is softened by a few touches of fabric and natural elements like light and greenery; they are the main features of a setting ready to be renovated every time new projects come to life.