The Beccafico project brief called for a modern Italian restaurant that drew influence from beach side architecture and classic Scandinavian design. While not obvious bedfellows, the final result is a raw and minimalist interior that ignores the whims of trend and the potential clichés.

While the three seemingly conflicted concepts, (Italian, Beach Side and Scandinavian) may not have exhibited an obvious relationship, a harmony was discovered through the utilisation and exploitation of the proposed sites raw and unfinished architecture. The existing site conditions were believed to echo the three design ideologues, and the un apologetically modern development, inclusive of bronze anodised aluminium windows which dominated three of the four facades, along with prefabricated concrete walls, ceilings and exposed services throughout, have been exploited to reinforce the idea of a minimally treated interior, reflective of Scandinavian & beachside architecture.

De materialisation is at the core of the concept, and all elements have been reduced to their bare essentials. Joinery components are made from recycled and fire charred hardwoods, requiring no further finishing or sealing. Further timber elements feature wire brushed and/or sandblasted recycled Oregon, adding texture and tactility to the minimalist space. All paint finishes, are VOC free, lighting is primarily energy efficient LED, and all materials have been assessed for their embodied energy and embodied water content.

Envisioned as a sophisticated yet casual dining and bar experience, Beccafico responds to the fact that global economic conditions are still uncertain, and restaurateurs and their patrons alike are unwilling to appear to be spending on ostentatious luxuries. As such a muted and moody, yet confident palette has been chosen to at all times contrast, yet compliment the food and beverage offering. Further to this, in true Scandinavian style, the design is stripped back to its bare essentials, and beach side forms are alluded to within the eclectic array of timber joinery and furniture.

The master planning goal is the smooth transition from the back of house areas, (all anchored around an existing elevator shaft), into the patron occupied spaces of the restaurant. A timber boardwalk delineates and guides both staff & customers through the heart of the venue, with a simple series of seating options branching off throughout.

With strictly budgeted outcomes, it would have been a simple process to emulate any of the well-articulated examples from within the scope of the brief, however great lengths were taken to ensure the discovery of harmonious relationships were discovered. As such the contradiction in these styles is fully explored and unearthing complimentary relationships is at the concepts core.