World famous pasta purveyor Barilla came to us to help them scale their fast-casual restaurant brand. Though their pasta products had long been household favorites, Barilla’s brick and mortar presence remained minimal, with only a few little-known, grab-and-go locations in NYC. They sought to translate their big love of pasta through a uniquely “Barilla” hospitality experience, while elevating the brand and educating American consumers about their commitment to pasta excellence.

We set out to create a space that told the story of pasta made-from-scratch while transcending preconceived notions of red sauce joints and old Italian “nonnas.” To do so, we pulled from various aspects of Italian life today⁠ instead of focusing on the past⁠—combining the warmth of the Italian family kitchen with the conviviality of European sidewalk culture. Our design showcases durable-yet-beautiful materials to evoke the laid-back atmosphere of a streetside café. Through pattern and form, it translates the rhythms and textures of pasta into inhabitable space. The new Casa Barilla embraces the contemporary Italian lifestyle in a way that only Barilla can.