Piccolino, Woodfire Pizzeria Architecture & Brand

Something special in the suburban hinterland.

An ambitious and graceful architectural intervention sets
a new standard for an otherwise unremarkable neighbourhood.

Piccolino, dusk view of the steep-gabled glass front with timber ribs glowing inside

Piccolino, glass gable front at blue hour with diners seen inside the lit timber interior

Architecture

Nestled between foundation walls just 5.5 metres apart in a humble suburban shopping strip, the cathedral-like exterior establishes an unexpected and majestic tone. The building melds steel plate ribs, a sheer glass facade and luminous timber with one-off fabrication of nearly every element guests encounter.

Despite a modest budget and strict planning guidelines, Piccolino is a stylistically-free merging of intricate, contemporary aesthetics, and redefines what can be achieved as a single, focused expression of the contemporary pizzeria.

“Piccolino is a stylistically-free merging of intricate, contemporary aesthetics, and redefines what can be achieved as a single, focused expression of the contemporary pizzeria.”

Piccolino, long dining room with a timber ceiling, skylight and cream chairs at tables

Piccolino, staircase with a steel rail beside timber wall panels cut in chevron shapes

Interiors

The woodfire pizza oven, which sits as an island central to the building, and a gloriously bulbous internal flue boldly proclaim the building’s utility. A sense of smell and touch brings both a physical and emotional connection to the dining experience.

A humble palette of materials, including polished aggregate floors and solid timber panels, combine with open, light-filled spaces to create warmth, provide room to move and delightfully verify this as a place to relax and enjoy.

Piccolino, backlit timber shelves stocked with bottles and jars

Piccolino, small table with black chairs in a timber-lined alcove under lit shelves

Piccolino, dining room with a central dark column rising through a pitched timber ceiling

Piccolino, backlit shelves with a teapot, tins, bottles and a ceramic jug

“A sense of smell and touch brings both a physical and emotional connection to the dining experience.”

Piccolino, large timber P letter with a black outline and grey shadow on a pale background

Marketing

The expression of individuality that marks Piccolino is reinforced by its design elements. An understated yet beautiful Art Deco-like serif font is the cornerstone of the restaurant’s logo and complements the brand’s story through warm colours and natural textures.

The external signage is not loud or boastful; rather it features the logo rendered in artisan terms from steel and wood, unassuming yet confident in its vertical positioning on the building’s facade.

Piccolino, close view of black steel lettering with timber inserts against white

Piccolino, black letter O with a timber inset in close-up against a white wall

“The expression of individuality that marks Piccolino is reinforced by its design elements.”

Piccolino, illustrated bread roll above a cut mushroom on an olive background with timber rings

Piccolino, illustrated cut red onion and garlic on a blue-grey background above timber rings

Piccolino, iMac mock-up of a website with beetroot, lettuce and peppercorn imagery

Piccolino, iMac mock-up of a dark website with a spinach and tomato tart photograph

“Complementing the brand’s story through warm colours and natural textures.”