BERBERÈ MILAN ISOLA

The layout of the location is one of the main elements of Berberè’s concept, which celebrates the idea of the pizzeria as a space for conviviality and pleasure. The desire to create a restaurant with a retro feel embraces a design inspired by the authenticity and simplicity of establishments of the past but with a keen eye on the present.

Berberè Milano rises in the heart of the Isola district inside the historic Circolo Filippo Sassetti, a gathering space created in 1911 for members of the building cooperative of the same name. The architectural design pays homage to the atmosphere of the historic Milanese clubs of the 1940s-50s and involves the combination of warm and cool colors and the use of “poor” materials, such as square tiles traditionally used in workplaces, side by side with fine finishes and noble materials, such as marble for the counters. The venue consists of three rooms with a total of about 80 seats.

The fragmented nature of the existing spaces necessitated interventions aimed at connecting them both functionally and stylistically. This choice takes the form of converting the existing corridor into a pizzeria service room and creating a new connecting space that provides physical and visual permeability between rooms and a revaluation of the otherwise isolated middle room. Passing through the front door onto Sabenico Street, one is greeted by a large wall covered in white square tiles, inside which stands out a mosaic of shaped black tiles laid to form the words “Berberè.” This first room houses both the reception and the pizzeria.

The open kitchen has a functional layout, where the oven, pizza makers, and dough tops are located, while at the back, but visually connected, is the baking and cake preparation area while the scullery is not visible to customers. The layout, internal communication, graphics, and brand identity were handled by Comunicattive.

Project developed in collaboration with project leader Arch. Giambattista Ghersi