Riccio

Riccio Cucina Artigianale is an artisanal Italian kitchen with elements of a bakery and restaurant. With no tables and few stools, Superlimão's design aimed to create a pleasant environment for coffee or a quick meal, while diners admire the small, thoughtful details of the architecture, which blends old with new. Located in Vila Nova Conceição, the 85m² property that houses Riccio is an old structural masonry house. The design took advantage of the existing structure, maintaining the exposed brickwork on the facade and exposing the structural reinforcements of the central pillar, which, together with the new metal structure, create a contrast with the old masonry. The facade's portico, made of orange-painted metal, has sliding doors on independent tracks that allow for almost complete opening. This element contrasts with the green applied to the old, peeling bricks and features a display case with bread shelves and a retractable bench. Upon entering the space, the layout prioritizes the service counter, with products displayed in display cases and refrigerators. All production takes place daily on the upper floor, where a glimpse of the sidewalk from the kitchen is possible. The counter takes center stage. For its design and execution, noble materials were chosen, applied in a relaxed manner, such as oxidized and pleated brass, which references a candy mold. On the ground floor, a perforated sheet metal and rebar shelf—originally made from an old wooden door that was to be discarded from a construction site—forms the boundary between the service counter and the stairs leading to the kitchen. The marble shard floor with terrazzo grout was repurposed, with the idea of bringing a reference to Rome's sidewalks into the space. In the bathroom, the design played with the meaning of the word "Riccio," which in Italian means "porcupine." A quilled ceiling was created, like a giant porcupine inhabiting the bathroom. This ceiling is composed of backlit pegs of varying heights, referencing the rounded back of a porcupine. On the upper floor balcony, where the kitchen is located, a landscaping tower was created to plant the herbs and spices used in locally sourced recipes. This tower, along with the kitchen, can be seen from outside, bringing the artisanal production closer to customers who visit the space.