Tortelli

Location

Cluj Napoca, Romania

Project type

QSR

Client

Private client

Year

2022

Tortelli is a food service space dedicated to artisanal pasta, offering quick service with a workflow typical of a modern fast-casual concept. It is designed as a complete experience—visual, gustatory, and emotional—where the signature dish is presented in a warm, urban, and memorable setting.

The concept is based on the idea of an Italian trattoria reinterpreted in a contemporary language, highlighting the ingredients, cooking process, and conviviality. The material palette is “edible” in nature: green ceramic tiles reminiscent of basil leaves, wood accents, raw stone, and natural textures. The ceiling becomes a statement element—perforated panels with silhouettes of utensils, leaves, and pasta, illuminated with colored LEDs that give the space a playful aura. Branding is integrated subtly and coherently through illuminated lettering and a brand image conveying closeness, simplicity, and passion for cooking.

The challenges were multiple: integrating an open kitchen near the service area, managing mixed customer flows, and creating a unified identity in a space with varied geometries. The solution involved clear zoning, a consistent palette across all visual points, and the use of verticality to amplify the sense of depth—through shelving, hanging plants, and modular lighting.