Barca’s Restaurant in Turin, Italy by Fabio Fantolino.

A Turin building overlooking the 19th Century corso Vittorio Emanuele II, in the Borgo Nuovo district, houses the new restaurant designed by the local architect Fabio Fantolino.

Large full-height windows that overlook the street form the key element of the concept for Barca’s, which helps the architect overcome the challenge of bringing an airy and welcoming feel to a smaller space.

The three-story restaurant is characterised by a consistent design that connects the first two floors. The white tones of the walls and objects give way to blue fern wallpaper framed by American walnut timber.

Furnishing elements contribute to the creation of a warm and relaxed atmosphere: custom-designed lighting consisting of diagonally cut cylindrical chrome profiles; custom-made tables of different colour laminates and Marcel Breuer side chairs in Alcantara all recall the design of the 1970’s. There’s a special focus on sofas and chairs; sea blue velvet, green dry cotton twill and hazel Alcantara alternate, covering all the seats throughout the three floors, warming up the atmosphere.

The counter is the main protagonist of the ground floor. The white circle cutouts with a contrasting timber background are reminiscent of typical geometries of the era the restaurant is inspired by.

The underground level houses a more intimate and reserved area, where the dark shades of the walls is softened by the red melange tones of the seats. The space is punctuated by blue velvet screens and wooden panels.

Barca’s offers the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of 1970’s West Coast, while dining right in the heart of Turin.

Related: Dash Restaurant in Turin, Italy by Fabio Fantolino.

[Images courtesy of Fabio Fantolino. Photography by Omar Sartor.]