Case Study

It’s Italian Cucina

It’s Italian Cucina is a place to be lived, a spirited environment to be part of your life and taste. An environment suited for an individual as well as gatherings. IIC is our interpretation of the best we have come to know, where it is openly shared as an art with passion in every detail.

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Details

1500 South Lamar Blvd.
Suite 110
Austin TX 78704

Project Info

It’s Italian Cucina is a free-spirited Italian restaurant with casual elegance that provides an escape in South Lamar, an area favorite to locals and visitors. I was drawn to the contrast witnessed in the neighborhood and one reason I implemented it into the design of the space.

We stripped the floors down to the concrete and covered with terrazzo tiles. Leaving the ceilings exposed maintains the open feel, painting them black let us bring the feeling of a more intimate space. Elements like the recycled bicycle rack, reclaimed wood at the reception area, kitchen, and star burst accents at the bar front, reflect the raw and edgy side of the design. The Sun burst patterns in copper and wood represent the closeness to nature and hint of passion that was central to the message important to the owner. The contrast between the warm and cool, the wooden furniture and accents, use of metal, and incorporating fabric, from the window area to the pendant lighting over the bar area, the cozy attractive booth, mix of old and new, the patterns against the textural materials reveal the playful side of a design that exudes a speakeasy, heart warming aesthetic.

Client: Alessandro Darabino

Completion: August 2017

Project Type: Hospitality

Architect: Sharabella Fini

Exterior Design

From the exterior, the entry opens the façade to the street, meeting the life of the sidewalk and revealing the life within the restaurant. The metal piece with circular motif and copper floral element is by itself the focal point of the exterior. The large windows with the overlapping metal circular accent elements and the metal planters, touch on the continuity offered by the plan and the ease of flow in a spacious patio.

Interior Design

In this space there is a feeling of harmony and connectedness and still remains intimate. The mural tells a story with hidden messages that keep patrons interested and entertained. The use of high quality wood panels custom cut to the size and pattern behind the bar area and matched with the ceiling above draws attention the unique housing of the bar, and the warm continuity with the bar back design.

Construction Management

Much planning and organizing went into the project to optimize the final product. Started and ended the project with the same team of contractors, with ongoing communication and requirement reviews. Schedules were set to monitor progress and to ensure that the project was completed on time and within budget.

Let’s Build Something

We have passion for designing, for building-combining elements to create the desired outcome. We will ask questions, finding out about you; your wants and your needs, your lifestyle, your goals. We’re learning what’s meaningful to you, and how you see your ultimate vision.
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