Chicko

Chicko emerged from a union of friends with a common goal: to bring Portuguese cuisine to Brazil. Dom Duarte, a restaurant located in Leira, Portugal (since 1984), served as inspiration for the friends, who decided to bring the best succulent grilled chicken to Brazil, or rather, to Campinas, São Paulo. A distinctive, modern approach, featuring natural foods and artisanal processes, was born. Thus, Chicko was born, a fast-casual restaurant designed to celebrate the union of people, moments, and, of course, flavors. The first restaurant was built in an old house in the Cambuí neighborhood, the heart of the city. From this, inspiration from Portuguese tradition was crucial to the design of the Superlimão project, with the use of tiles with lace and embroidery in a modern interpretation of the cladding. From the facade, a large volume overlaps the existing house, striking those passing by. This element has a slight transparency and is a set of large, hand-embroidered, openwork panels, reminiscent of large Portuguese tiles and embroidery in varying shades of blue. The combination of these openwork panels creates a play of shadows cast by the panels on the sidewalk. Clearly defined openings, with diagonal niches, extend across the facade, bringing more movement to the corner restaurant and integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon entering the restaurant, a large yellow banner directs diners to its main area, Brasa, where everything happens. The skylight that follows the roof's slope allows natural light to enter and provides a focal point of light directly onto Brasa. Another important space is the cashier/bar. Right at the entrance, it's marked by a large blue niche, lined with tiles designed and produced especially for the project, in shades of blue and white. These tiles paint the space like a playful mix of tiles, further enhancing the project and recalling the living room of the Casa da Musica in Porto, Portugal. Both the ground floor and upper rooms feature peeling walls, reflecting the history of the old house, and the 1-meter-high barre inspired by the Alentejo houses of Portugal. In some areas, the walls feature silkscreen paintings in the form of Portuguese lace/embroidery. The interior and exterior furniture were designed with layout flexibility in mind. The lighting in the room again combines modern and traditional elements. Pendant lights were developed using a 3D-printed PET prototype, especially for the project, and then hand-reproduced in white-pigmented epoxy resin in the shape of a large cracking egg, a playful reference to the chicken. Just as the egg was the protagonist in the development of these lamps, the creation of a large egg-shaped ball pit for the kids' space was also crucial. The space is designed for the upper-floor dining room, which could be used as a family space. It's worth noting that, in addition to the entire restaurant visible to guests, the restaurant boasts a large back-office area, capable of accommodating a second restaurant. Whether it's for a family gathering for Sunday lunch, meeting friends for happy hour, or celebrating a holiday, Chicko was designed for a variety of uses and people.