Memphis Colors and Italian Tradition Mix in a Tricota-Designed Buenos Aires’ Café
With its geometric appeal and pink-and-blue palette, Duca Caffé & Apericena in Buenos Aires might bring to mind the Memphis design movement. But its inspiration was much closer to home, explains Ezequiel Norry, co-founder and designer of Tricota, also in Buenos Aires, who headed up the coffee and small-plates café’s design.
“Argentina is a country of European immigrants. We’re basically sons of Spanish and Italians,” says Norry. Similarly, the cafe was “trying to combine the coffee and the appetizers in one concept.” The team hit upon the Italian concept of apericena, Norry notes, and took it as part of its name. “It’s a moment of the day where you drink and eat, sharing and talking with friends.”
The space is small, with two levels of about 330 square feet each. But the look is large: steel furniture softened with velvet; contrasting terrazzo floors and tabletops; and an eye-popping paint scheme that Norry says is his favorite element of the design. “We´re really proud of the combination and contrast generated with the lighting and darkness,” he says. “Depending on the time of day you can feel the place is warmer or a little bit colder, and that´s a nice experience for the customer.” No matter where their home might be.
For more chic terrazzo: X+O Blends Laid-Back Lush With Australian Gastronomy for the Full Circle Café in Bali