Designed by the Italian Studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, the restaurant tells the story of the chefs’ journey around the world. The concept combines Asian influences with references to the great Milanese design, creating a vibrant, multicultural and colorful atmosphere.

Internationality, research and conviviality: these are the ingredients that characterize Spica, the new restaurant in the heart of the Milanese district of Porta Venezia. The two celebrity chefs, Indian Ritu Dalmia and Italian Viviana Varese, share a common passion for world cuisines: hence a restaurant that embraces diversity, offering a gastronomic journey through four geographical areas (Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and America).  

A journey that is reflected from the kitchen to the interior design thanks to the project by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, studio based in Milan and Shanghai with important experience in developing new restaurant concepts. The architects have designed a lively and colourful restaurant, capable of surprising with its unusual mix of Asian suggestions and homage to the masters of 20th century Milanese design.

The concept
Spica translates the story of Ritu Dalmia into the language of interior decoration. Starting out from India and crisscrossing the whole of Asia on her way to Milan, Ritu Dalmia took on board the gastronomic traditions, spirituality and hospitality of the different countries she visited. Inside the restaurant, contemporary cosmopolitan culture encounters the aesthetic influences of Masters of Milanese design. In their citations of Milanese tradition, Vudafieri-Saverino Partners have combined the freedom and radical design of Ettore Sottsass, with his deep passion for India, and the elegance and rigour of the modern movement of Franco Albini. Two distinct worlds that interact harmoniously in the restaurant.   Tiziano Vudafieri, partner of Vudafieri-Saverino PartnersThe homage to Sottsass is immediately evident in the radically free style of portals, characterized by a wallpaper with colored patterns and fluorescent geometric inserts. A choice that tells the story of the stratification of cultures and the richness of colors of the countries visited by Ritu Dalmia.

The furnishings are clearly reminiscent of the great Milan masters of the ‘50s and ‘60s, first and foremostFranco Albini, who was the inspiration for the two pieces created for the entrance and the dining room. 

Another reference to the Asian world and its spirituality is the space layout, following the rules of theVastu architectural doctrine. A discipline born in India over 5,000 years ago, according to which the construction of houses and cities should take into account the laws and influences of nature. Spica rooms face on to the cardinal points recommended by Vastu, so as to create spaces able to radiate well-being and harmony.

The interior design
As always, Vudafieri-Saverino Partners have treasured the pre-existing: located in an industrial building, Spica retains evident signs of the past, such as the seeded floor and a wall brought back to its natural appearance.  The impressive 8-metre-long bar at the entrance, is inspired by the Milanese ones of the 1960s, with a long suspended bottle rack for the cocktail station.

The adjacent lounge area consists of four round tables designed by the architects. The armchairs, created by an Indian company, are a tribute to Franco Albini, recalling the forms of his famous Luisa chair. The big lamps in the dining room evoke the shapes of typical Indian agricultural implements, while  wooden floor and plants on gravel create a charming corner, giving the feeling of being in a garden.

The bathroom is also distinguished by its fresh and colourful atmosphere, with the long washbasin with single sink and the iconic Seletti mirrors.

www.vudafierisaverino.it