Zanfretta Gelateria
Strategy, Branding, Design
Florence, Italy
Fall, 2025
This academic studio project involved developing a gelateria concept in Santa Croce, Florence. The scope included creating a client brief, identifying opportunity, developing branding, material strategy, circulation and flow, case study research, mood and reference boards, and producing interior designs at 1:50 scale using AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Photoshop.
Project Details
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Identified a gap in Santa Croce’s nighttime rhythm, where restaurants and bars thrive but gelaterias close early and feel transactional
Developed a hybrid gelateria and amaro bar to bridge dessert and nightlife
Reimagined gelato as an evening experience, supporting both quick service and lingering
Used zoning and circulation to reflect different rhythms of use, sequencing arrival, service, and exit
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Developed a brand rooted in collision between worlds and a fascination with the unknown
Named Zanfretta after Piet Fortuna Zanfretta, referencing a claimed extraterrestrial encounter
Positioned the space as an interior world, separated from the street and transporting guests elsewhere
Aligned branding, spatial intent, and atmosphere to create a cohesive, immersive identity
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Established a mood of transported, charged wonder
Drew inspiration from 1980s interiors and retro futurism, emphasizing atmosphere and immersion
Closed off street-facing windows and lowered ceiling heights to create a controlled interior environment
Used vestibules, compression, and release to slow entry and heighten transition
Selected matte and reflective materials and deep color to build depth and spatial intensity
Designed lighting to control focus and atmosphere, reinforcing nighttime use
