Basilicata

Born in the Basilicata region of Italy, Filippo Ponzio brought to Brazil over 100 years ago the recipe for a bread that would become one of São Paulo's most famous: Basilicata Italian bread. Since then, the traditional bakery has been at the heart of Bixiga. And it will continue to be so, but in a new venture. Now, customers have access to the new space: Basilicata – Bread, Emporium, and Restaurant. Designed by Superlimão, the atmosphere is immersive in the history of Italian immigration: antique scales, the "pendura" (where bills were literally hung), handwritten posters, and photographs that tell the story of the family that left southern Italy. The building was restored to accommodate the new venture. With two floors, the emporium and bakery are located on the lower floor, and the restaurant is located on the upper floor. The design principle was to reclaim memories while maintaining tradition through the architecture, respecting the building's original features. At the same time, creating open spaces for the new service areas. Passing through the entrance, the space opens up into an elaborate emporium with details that gradually tell the family's story, without losing its essence. Bread trays displaying products are fixed to metal structures reminiscent of the original iron supports crafted by the family's blacksmiths; next to the cash registers, a cork panel houses a map of Italy drawn with wool threads, recalling the beginning of this story: it is said that, as the ship sailed away from the port, the immigrant carried one end of a ball of wool, and the family members on land held the other end, hoping one day to join the two ends. Also at the entrance, on the left, a provolone cutting table marks the passage to the other room and holds a variety of olive oils and cheeses. This area houses the refrigerated products section of the emporium, which, in addition to stainless steel refrigerators, is housed in a family biscuit cabinet and on tables designed specifically for the project. During the construction, frescoes from the early 20th century were discovered on these walls and preserved. The ceiling was made using the blades used in baking. Hanging beneath the slab, they form a kind of acoustic baffles, diffusing the light. A large counter and bistro tables will be available for quick snacks on the lower floor. Right at the corner of these counters, and directly opposite the Basilicata entrance, the counter purposefully displays bread, as it is the restaurant's flagship product. Walking through this floor, a grocery store with products is available for customers who want to take home groceries. Upon entering the outdoor area, three coconut trees were preserved and tables were set up to welcome customers. The details of all these stories are reflected in the ambiance of the spaces, with pieces inherited from every generation. Among them are wood-fired oven doors forged by the family's blacksmiths, tools such as an anvil, scales, oven ash grates transformed into balustrades in the open space on the second floor, and even some personal items, such as a notebook, glasses, bills, and coins. Upstairs is the new addition: the restaurant. It's there that chef Rafael Lorenti proves that Italian cuisine is in his DNA, preparing a typically southern Italian menu with around 30 dishes. To reach the second floor, the existing staircase was renovated and brought into compliance with new regulations. An elevator was also installed to ensure accessibility for all diners. Without walls, the upper dining room houses chairs, tables, and a sofa designed by Superlimão. The sofa's seating also evokes a family period after World War II, when the government rationed products such as flour and sugar. Once, when receiving government inspectors at their home, the family made a bed in the corner of the room with sacks of flour covered by a quilt. Above the sofa, industrial light fixtures directly illuminate each table. Original wooden French doors lead to a balcony, which is essential for ventilation. The roof, with fiber cement tiles, has been slitted to create a series of skylights. The walls are painted in soft tones reminiscent of Italian colors. In addition to green, red, and white, other colors are also present, such as yellow and blue.