Velocità is a gelateria, tiramisu and coffee shop on Calea Victoriei, the main historical boulevard of Bucharest. Expressing the Italian flavor while bringing back the former glory of the building resulted in a contemporary synthesis of Milan Modernism and Art Deco. In order for the layout to be flexible but also to avoid the rigid separation between customers and baristas, the bar is made of separate mobile pieces on heavy-duty castors that can be moved around for a variety of configurations. Water and power supply also have multiple positions and quick connections. This flexibility proved extremely useful also during the pandemic. Colors are the original ones we found by peeling layers of paint and incidentally (or not) also close to the creamy colors of tiramisu, vanilla ice cream and latte. The terrazzo is a custom recipe, with colorful stones reminding the ingredients in the products on display (brown silex for coffee and chocolate, orange for citrus fruits, green marble for pistachio and mint). As products are made on the spot, the choice of materials (terrazzo, stainless steel, white marble, glossy paint) is laboratory compatible and supports the purity of the process. The almost clinical cleanliness is soften by the rattan and curved wood furniture, the subtly warm paint tones and orange details as well as by the carefully placed 3000K spotlights conveying a sense of warmth and intimacy in what seems a perpetual sunset. The curved wood and rattan chairs are also a distant reminder of the Thonets traditionally to be found in the historical cafes in the area. The citizens of Bucharest keep a romanticized image of their city through sepia color post cards featuring interwar Calea Victoriei. We painted the facade in the same color palette as if frozen in a time of past glory. Sadly, most of the architectural heritage of Bucharest is in tragic state of neglect, disrepair, permanent threat from developers and lack of protection from authorities. It was the case with our building, a former luxurious Art-Deco corner building. We hope Velocità to be also a call to action in a city where the value of heritage is not understood and by no means a priority.
Velocità
Corvin Cristian Studio
Bronze

1 / 10

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Managing Partner
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Cofounder and Design Director
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Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed
Partner and Creative Director
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7
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David Schwarz
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5
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Leilei Wu
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6
7
6
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6.25
Designer
Client
George Pop
Floor area
100 ㎡
Completion
2020
designer
Corvin Cristian
designer
Serban Rosca
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