GINA
The new experience and architectural design of Gina, the high-end Italian restaurant under the
D-ream roof that has become one of Kanyon's most iconic restaurants since its opening, was
designed by Wangan.
Based on the story of Gina, a strong and vigorous Italian woman who lived in Tuscany in the
1950s and ran a family trattoria bearing her name, the brand's space in Kanyon was designed
around the idea of a second restaurant with the same name, opened by Gina's grandchildren
70 years after the first restaurant in Tuscany.
One of the most striking elements of the design that combines the warmth and tradition of a
trattoria with the sharpness of a high-end restaurant is the custom-made ceramic used to cover
the walls of the space both from the inside and from the facade. This layer of handmade
ceramics is inspired by Azulejo tiles which originated in Italy, Spain, and Portugal in the late
17th century, enjoyed a golden age until the early 19th century, and were used in the interiors
and exteriors of many buildings of the period. The printed ceramics, mounted on walls with
wide openings and decorated with images of Italian flowers in custom-made frames, feature
images of the Italian Riviera and Tuscany of the 1950s, inspired by the story of Gina.
Walnut wooden aisles, black and white Italian portraits on the walls, and wall and cedar
lighting with warm light are other elements that enhance the intimate texture and trattoria feel
of the restaurant. The bar, which is the central axis of the space, stands out with its leather,
wood, and brass details while the kitchen area, designed as an open kitchen, features a pizza
and fresh pasta station that customers can watch. The second branch of the restaurant,
designed by Wangan in the exact same form as the new experience at Kanyon, is located at
Galataport, which opened in October 2021 and is considered one of Istanbul's most important
destination projects.
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