Ground Floor: The Gelateria
The mezzanine features wooden flooring and railings, with hand-painted text and illustrations across the walls narrating the ritual and process of making gelato.
The lower floor is the more expressive face of this café in Delhi, where the gelato counter becomes the centre of activity. A traditional pozzetti counter sits at the heart of the space, allowing the making and serving of gelato to become part of the experience rather than something hidden behind the scenes. The planning takes cues from the compact scale of Florentine cafés and gelaterias, with a narrow, intimate circulation that encourages a slower interaction with the space. A small mezzanine level with two-seater tables adds another dimension, creating pockets of seating within the compact footprint.
The material palette continues the story of an old Florentine interior. Stone mosaic flooring with custom patterns and logo detailing anchors the space, while textured plaster walls, fresco-inspired surfaces, aged brass, fluted glass, distressed mirrors, walnut-toned woodwork, and merlot leather upholstery add layers of texture. Artwork, mouldings, mirrors, and collected objects are placed throughout to give the feeling of a space that has gathered details over time.
The architectural lighting is from Ankur Lights, while the decorative pieces were sourced and curated from various places.
Upper Floor: The Café
The mood shifts as one moves upstairs. Unlike the lively gelateria below, the café is quieter and more relaxed, designed as a place to linger over coffee, conversations, or a long meal. The seating is more intimate, with smaller corners distributed across the floor to create different experiences within the space. Rather than one large dining area, the layout allows each table to feel slightly more personal.