SiPASTA restaurant

The space responds to the request to create a contemporary and easy-going Italian eating place in Beijing, combining a series of very specific culinary experiences: fresh-made pasta restaurant, wine taverna and food market. The three aspects are declared along the main counter like a sequence, on which customers can find a glazed exposed lab where to see the process of pasta making, picking-up their dishes from food displays or choosing wines from shelves. The cozy environment is characterized by a fresh modern design, which combines the warm and joyful brightness of South Italian restaurants with the familiar and intimate atmosphere of northern Italian “osteria” and wine pubs. Color scheme follows the functional division of two distinct areas, with a signature red color for food displays and kitchen, juxtaposed to a palette of soft and delicate grays to mark customers’ paths, dining rooms, tables and chairs. Built-in furniture, lighting fixtures, logo and wall decorations with traditional herbs are specifically designed for the space. Custom-made plates and ceramic pieces by “Il Rustico”, artisanal ceramic workshop from Caltagirone in Sicily, were used for decorating shelves and walls, and they were a further source of inspiration for graphics and V.I. elements around the space.
Design is somehow telling the story and direct experiences of the client, a young lady who spent five years in Italy before moving back to China, and it is following her tales and her original request of having a contemporary space where to transfer her passion for Italian food and life-style. General space feeling is merging elements borrowed from the traditional Italian restaurants from early ‘900, such as the vaulted ceiling and decorated textile curtains in the entrance, and the energetic effect of culinary culture of the 70’ies and 80’ies, with the use of bold red color. RED is a visually strong element of passion into the restaurant, which reminds to Italian fashion, brands like Valentino or Ferrari cars, and to iconic products like Italian tomatoes. Healthy food, slow living and quality were also key points to be quoted in the concept for the restaurant. Italian products and an artisanal touch have been added to the space by inaugurating a collaboration with artisanal workshop “il Rustico” from Sicily, that was designing traditional ceramic plates, which were inspiring elements for visual identity, menus, and logo. Tiles from historical brands Imola and Sant’Agostino are used on walls and floor, to define the long bar areas and the dining floor. RAMOPRIMO designers themselves were painting by hand over-scaled aromatic herbs from the garden, to be printed on Chinese rice paper on walls and to decorate glass panels. All tables, sofas, chairs, and lighting chandeliers are specifically designed and custom-made for the project.
In the main dining area, color tones are controlled and neutral, with a use of grey concrete floor and grey-white tiles, grey tones of fabric on sofas and solid wood for all tabletops. A large wine rack is wrapping the wall in the center of the room, becoming a back-bone element suggesting a warm feeling to customers, especially in the evening hours. Lower and higher tables are offered to invite customers to choose their favorite seating spot; a long community table with high stools is placed in front of the wine shelves and large fabric chandeliers are surmounting five special tables in the central dining area. The long counter is containing all bar and service functions, characterizing the whole space with its red color. It offers the visual background of the restaurant for customers entering from different sides. A glazed room in the corner contains the Pasta Lab, where the process of fresh pasta making is exposed to the view. A dimmable lighting system illuminates the space to create diversified atmospheres throughout the day. The restaurant is facing a hidden patio on its western side. The outdoor space features a red double leveled concrete platform with small tables and pillows for informal seating.
PROJECT CREDITS / Name:SiPASTA restaurant
year :2022
Location:Beijing, The Grand Summit Liangmaqiao  
Function restaurant Area :300 m²
Design by RAMOPRIMO 
Architects :Marcella Campa, Stefano Avesani
Project team:ZhaoXinyi , Giacomo Squaquara, WangWenWen , DuHuayu
Furniture:RAMOPRIMO, Hay tiles and ceramics:IMOLA; Ceramica Sant'Agostino; Il Rustico Caltagirone.
Client :Si.Buono group
Photographer:Marcella Campa
Web:www.ramoprimo.com
Instagram :ramoprimostudio