Solunto - panificio e ristoranteHospitality Design
Located in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy district, Solunto brings a fun, eclectic design together with rustic Italian flavors. The essence of the project is a mix of Mediterranean colors, custom design elements, giant graphics on the walls, and local sustainable materials. We wanted to tell a story by playing with the floor plan and flow, creating three different experiences in one space. The bakery, restaurant, and wine bar are well-identified by different materials, colors, and features, while the hex tiles on the floor create an abstract path through the space.
Solunto Bakery and Restaurant is a fine example of eclectic design inspired by Mediterranean colors and flavors. The use of sustainable materials is well balanced with unique design elements, custom furniture, original graphics, and awarded brands. The design is fresh and spaces are well thought, bringing a new experience in the center of Little Italy in San Diego.
The project started with the idea to create three different experiences in a small space: a bakery and coffee bar on one side, a pizza and restaurant in the middle, and a wine bar on the other side. All the materials and design elements go back to this concept and tell the story about a brief journey through the five senses and European culture.
The space, which includes a dining room, kitchen, bakery, and service areas, spans around 5000 square feet. The design team, led by Dopamine Design, utilized recycled FireclayTile, reclaimed oak wood, marble countertops, terra-cotta lighting, hex floor tiles, and a bok modern facade to bring the design to life.
The idea behind Solunto Bakery and Restaurant was to recreate a small European piazza where people can find whatever they need for the day: fresh bread, a fine lunch, and a glass of wine. The design team played with different graphics, floor patterns, and colorful decorative tiles to differentiate the three experiences.
The project started in April 2015 and was completed in March 2016. Solunto Bakery and Restaurant is located at 1643 India Street in San Diego, California.
This design was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2016 for its well-designed, practical, and innovative approach. The use of sustainable materials and the integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better world.
Image Credits: Photo by Daniel Veiga and Adam Harrington
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Serena Zanello
Image Credits: Photo by Daniel Veiga and Adam Harrington
Project Team Members: "Designer: Serena Zanello"
"Designer:Daniel Veiga"
"Graphic Designer: Sara Gori"
Project Name: Solunto
Project Client: Serena Zanello