Va Bene Cicchetti Italian Bistro and Bar

Va Bene Cicchetti - Italian Bistro and Bar

Warsaw

The art of the metaphor. New bar in Warsaw flooded by the Venetian high water.

Piotr Maciaszek, Aleksandra Hyz and Karol Pasternak from NOKE Architects are responsible for the design of their first cicchetti bar in Poland.

A few steps into the bistro and you can tell that this project merges art and architecture.

ABOUT

There are a lot of new places opening in this district now, so we knew it had to be something truly one of its kind. We were inspired by pictures of Venetian eateries which stay open during periods of high tide (Italian: aqua alta) and are architecturally adapted to these particular conditions.

CREATING A CONCEPT FROM SCRATCH

ITALIAN CULTURE OF BARS

COLOURS AND SYMBOL FROM VENETIAN FLAG

The Venetian lion in its original form has become a logotype and a kind of mascot of the place. It appears on artistic neon signs or a huge brass doorknob resembling railings in a palace. Ola also designed the entire visual identity of the place and the posters for the opening.

AQUA ALTA

We took inspiration from the colors of the Venetian flag (i.e. red and gold), which dominate all finishing, and incorporated the "Aqua Alta" motif in the interior as an element of surprise. High water appears in the form of juicy green at the height of a couple dozens centimeters inside and gives color to table legs, chairs, plinths, floor, display cases and floods the entire underground level.

UNDERWATER BASEMENT

CUSTUM DESIGNED AND MADE FURNITURES

MATERIALS

MOSAIC AND VISUAL IDENTITY by OLA NIEPSUJ

We wanted the collaboration with the artist to not just be a single commission, but a broader exchange of ideas and inspiration. This unique partnership resulted in a whole set of artworks, graphics and design elements.

INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL MOSAIC

MAKING OF

TEAMWORK

POSTERS

LOGO

DETAILS

Veneto is where the famous Murano glass and antique mirrors are manufactured. The region is famous for its ceramics and wine. We came up with the idea to use 'mini pieces of Venice' as the building blocks of our artwork. Mosaic was the perfect solution for this. According to the author, it best represents Venice, where "the sun dances on the water". Besides, it refers to the local tradition of Warsaw mosaics and MDM urban square. Also, personally, we have always dreamed of designing a modern version of Warsaw mosaic.

A PLACE THAT CATCHES THE EYE

The windows were designed to be fully open and on warmer days the guests can enjoy the outside area too. What is more, there will be an amphitheater staircase and a rooftop terrace with a stage for a DJ or live music. You could not wish for more in this cozy corner of the old socialist buildings next to a beautiful relief.