VyTa Santa Margherita Florence by Daniela Colli.

Designed by Italian architect Daniela Colli of ColliDanielArchitetto, VyTa Santa Margherita in Florence is a luscious espresso bar located in the former sala di attesa (first class waiting room) of the Santa Maria Novella railway station, a masterpiece of the 1930s Italian rationalist architecture designed by Giovanni Michelucci. Colli’s response for the espresso bar pays respect to the heritage of the era, with close attention paid to the materials the fine finishes that characterise the original purpose of the space.

The fusion of historical references with contemporary design coexist and complete each other, giving life to a luxurious bakery. Carefully restored original finishes form the backbone of the interior, creating a lavish atmosphere and provide a spectacular backdrop. Green marble, copper accents, abundance of reflective surfaces and elegant linear textures elevate the simple volume, taking it to the next level of pure Italian hotness.

Related Post: #YellowtraceTravels // Florence, Italy.

Santa Maria Novella railway station is a listed national heritage building (and for a good reason – have you been? It’s possibly one of the most beautiful old-school train stations I’ve ever seen), which presented the fitout of VyTa with a series of challenges. The interior focuses on the interaction between the strong sense of place and its identity, whilst embodying the identity of the client’s brand. VyTa’s brand components are reflected in the fine material choices and their inherent colours.

At the entrance, the L-shaped copper clad structure forms an overhead lighting hub, celebrating the bar counter as an illuminated focal point of the space. The counter, clad in Verde Alpi marble, is lit with LED displays, creating a delicate atmosphere. Vintage black&white photographs and wall lamps add a lovely nod to the past.

Delicious, just like all that Italian pastry. Yum.