Caffè del Doge is an internationally re-known Italian coffee brand from Venice with several stores opened along years in many countries such as Italy, the US – California, Japan, Egypt, Argentina, Hong Kong, and others.
Caffè del Doge in Larissa is the first store by the famous Italian brand licensed in Greece, owned by coffee passionate brothers Manuele and Valentino Efstathiou, and the design and construction were undertaken by Harris Souliotis and Dimitris Souliotis (Lab4 architects) in September 2016.
The ground plan is divided into three basic categories. The "bar area", the "interior seating area" as well as the "espresso products store" in which are sold packaged espresso varieties.
The basement plan concentrates all ancillary areas such as the "meals preparation area", the "storage area", the "WC" as well as the "staff changing room".
The main concept designing goal is the showcase of brand espresso products as well as the history of their origin and quality. Following this main concept idea, the whole space was designed in such a way so that it resembles a coffee gallery, where the “exhibits” are the famous brand products themselves. All of them are presented on metal shelves and Carrara marble stands, classified in categories. The metal was selected to be the basic material that would give form to many constructions within the store. A metal staircase connects the ground floor with the basement spaces "predominating" with its form. Following the same design philosophy, the bar was constructed combining sheet metal and Carrara marble while a metal frame and glass deck construction "reveals" a typical handmade "sanpietrini" pavement which is placed below.
Sir Rizzardini’s vision for high-quality espresso products led also to the creation of a laboratory-like space where beverage production is made in front of the clients.
So, the development of the bar section to recreate the Venetian mood of the "Bottega del caffè" strictly followed the fundamental instructions of Caffe del Doge C.E.O. and SCAE trainer Bernardo della Mea along with designer Pierino Pinato.
All materials were selected with the intention to give a feeling of a modern style Venetian atmosphere. The sense of pureness and cleanness which is reflected by white and marble surfaces refers to product freshness while concrete plaster implies the timeless taste and flavor through the years.