COLLIDANIELARCHITETTO transforms italian art deco train station into chic café in florence

COLLIDANIELARCHITETTO

designed by COLLIDANIELARCHITETTO, ‘VyTA santa margherita’ is located in florence, italy, in a former first class waiting room of the santa maria novella train station, a masterpiece of rationalist italian architecture of the 1930s designed by giovanni michelucci. the defining features of the project are the antique materials and the fine finish that characterize the original purpose of the space. the fusion of different historical materials with contemporary design coexist and complements each other, giving life to a luxurious bakery. the use of sleek and mirrored surfaces nullify the volumes of counter and workspace; the thin and elegant lines of the design create tridimensional elements.

the lighting generates a soft and welcoming appearance 

the protection of the listed building of santa maria novella train station was a considerable challenge for COLLIDANIELARCHITETTO when designing ‘VyTA’. the project focuses on the interaction between the place and its identity in order to provide a unique experience for customers, while at the same time embodying the identity of the brand. the new characteristic elements, which are realized with fine materials such as copper, glass, and marble, interface with the existing historic features. this enhances the visibility of the boiserie upon which vintage pictures hang, imbuing the back wall with new functions.

the countertop in verde alpi marble and the miunn stools with their thin structure welcome customers 

a pink copper element in the form of a overturned ‘L’ combines functionality and design: it is the site of the installations and lighting that hang over the central bakery counter. it serves as the primary visual element due to its texture, which is composed of an alternating pattern of voids and volumes achieved by the use of thin copper plates. it serves as a partition while also enabling space to flow through it, breathing life into a timeless place with intimacy and accessibility, removed from the constant bustle of travellers.

the fusion of different historical materials with contemporary design coexist and complement each other

a parallelepipedon covered by a green mirrored surface demarcates the production side of the bakery. it magnifies the space with its alternating mirrors and glazed decorative strips following the historic motif of the floor. the counter, which is covered by a pink mirrored surface with a finely-striped pattern, rises from the verde alpi marble floor.

a pink copper element in the form of a overturned ‘L’ combines functionality and design

the lighting generates a soft and welcoming appearance: the countertop is illuminated by LEDs displays, while minimal pentagon pendant light bulbs illuminate the vintage pictures across the boiserie and antique white glass wall lamps highlight the copper wall macrograph. a strong material countertop in verde alpi marble and the miunn stools with their thin structure welcome customers who, during their meal breaks, observe a fast moving city.

the counter, which is covered by a pink mirrored surface with a finely-striped pattern, rises from the marble floor

the use of sleek and mirrored surfaces nullify the volumes of counter and workspace

the project focuses on the interaction between the place and its identity

‘VyTA santa margherita’ is located in the former first class waiting room of the santa maria novella train station

antique white glass wall lamps highlight the copper wall macrograph 

detail of pink copper element in the form of an overturned ‘L’ 

the defining features of the project are the antique materials and the fine finish

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edited by: juliana neira | designboom