The Taste of the Eighth Art

By Editorial Staff - 6 September 2023

Inspired by photography, the new Scatto restaurant at Turin’s Gallerie d’Italia museum in Palazzo Turinetti pays homage to the city’s culinary arts and tradition, reinterpreted with a contemporary touch by the chefs Christian and Manuel Costardi. Its interiors were designed by the architecture firm lamatilde in perfect continuity with the restyling of the Caffè San Carlo cafeteria and bistro, which is rooted in the territory and recalls the contents of the museum. Almost the entire exhibition space is dedicated to photography, which is translated into architectural and installation languages, as well as the name of the restaurant itself, Scatto (meaning shooting in Italian). The architectural concept revolves around the idea of a visual cone, represented primarily by sloping steel panels that guide the gaze towards the focal point of the space: the kitchen. This suggestion returns in many other compositional elements – for example, the soundproofed and illuminated ceilings whose inclination echoes the perspective shape of the kitchen area.

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy lamatilde Nell’ambito del ristorante, un ruolo centrale è quello della luce: grazie ad essa muta e prende forma la percezione degli spazi e così i progettisti hanno previsto aree più illuminate e ambienti più intimi e raccolti che, caratterizzati da tonalità scure, rimandano alla camera oscura di uno studio fotografico.

These details immediately suggest that the protagonist of the space is light. Hanging lamps and almost imperceivable spotlights balance the exposition of the most exposed areas with that of the more private ones, playing a crucial role in the perception of the space. The effectiveness of this play of light and shadow is also provided by the reflective materials used, like steel and mirrored glass, contrasted by opaque materials like wood. Emperador marble, in textural continuity with the bar counter of Caffè San Carlo, embellishes the chef’s table, which, on display as the workspace of the Costardi Bros, allows clients to observe the mastery and culinary arts as if through the lens of a camera.

At the entrance of the restaurant, antique mirrors simulate the grainy effect of daguerreotype photographs. These panels cover an entire wall, and together with steel shelving, serve as a way to display the food and wine products of the restaurant.

The dining room is discretely separated from the entrance area with a wardrobe that blends in at the back of the reception table. At its center, there is a large modular table with a sculptural, segmented shape that leads the eye to the open kitchen. By virtue of its modular shape, the table interrupts the linearity of the other surrounding furnishings – this solution allows the large convivial table to alternate with smaller side tables.

In addition to this main space, equipped with wooden tables of various shapes in dialogue with the tones of cladding elements, the innovation of the two chefs in the kitchen can also be enjoyed in a private space which opens through a special window onto the dish preparation area. This zone is illuminated and embellished by an imposing chandelier: an explicit homage to the historical one above the counter at Caffè San Carlo.

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy lamatilde Accanto alla cucina, e aperta su di essa attraverso una finestra, vi è un’area privé, separata dal resto del locale. A illuminare la sala un maestoso lampadario che richiama quello dello storico e vicino Caffè San Carlo.

The eighth art is therefore present almost everywhere within the Scatto restaurant, in constant reference to this highly valuable heritage kept inside the renovated spaces of the Gallerie d’Italia in Palazzo Turinetti: a zoom on traditions, modernity, innovation and taste.

Almost the entire exhibition space is dedicated to photography, which is translated into architectural and installation languages, as well as the name of the restaurant itself, Scatto (meaning shooting in Italian).

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy of lamatilde | A long modular table, distinguished by its irregular shapes and ideal for convivial and social occasions, can be positioned in the center of the main room, creating an effect of elevated dynamism. The various modules can also be utilized individually for smaller groups.

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy of lamatilde

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy of lamatilde | Light plays a central role in the restaurant environment, changing and forming the perception of spaces. The designers envisioned more illuminated areas and more intimate and secluded environments that, characterized by dark hues, recall the darkroom of a photography studio.

Scatto Restaurant - Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy of lamatilde | There is a private area separate from the restaurant next to the kitchen, overlooking it through a window. A majestic chandelier reminiscent of the historic, nearby Caffè San Carlo illuminates the room.

Location: Turin, Italy
Client: Intesa Sanpaolo
Completion: 2022
Gross Floor Area: 240 m²
Interior Design: lamatilde
Main Contractor: Ediltecno Restauri
Lighting Consultant: Ferrara Palladino Lightscape

Photography: Alessandro Saletta (DSL Studio), courtesy of lamatilde

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