Via Porta by Studio Esteta
Located in Melbourne, Via Porta is a family venture that explores the Italian heritage family’s connection to food, and the love of cooking only a nonna can pass on.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson I Photography: Sean Fennessy
The beautiful paving flooring was hand-built by the brothers reminiscent of the ancient flooring of Rome, seen throughout South Italy.
The co-director of Studio Esteta, Sarah Cosentino, is both behind the design, alongside the Esteta team, and the client of the project. Sarah shares Via Porta comes from the family's desire to share their home kitchen with guests, in the diner and the deli, with the homemade goods that sparkle from the immaculate shelves. The products were at the forefront of the clients’ mind, so the design had to provide a neutral background. Studio Esteta drew on the notions of the Italian alleyway, which became the driver for the project.
Curves work as a motif throughout Via Porta; welcoming new spaces that separate the dining area and Italian deli.
The curved coffee bar invites the guests into the space inspired by the classic Italian espresso bar.
“The paving uses a traditional Italian method with honest, earthy materials and becomes such a hero of the space; the style originates from ancient Rome and is found in Italy.”
The detail of the bar brings a warmth that is welcoming, textual and intricately detailed, like the local diners of Italy.
Via Porta is a multifaceted hospitality venture — part dining, and eatery, a cafe by day and restaurant by night — with an equal focus on the deli and retail side of things. A critical element of the brief allows for flexible zones, the deli space invites a busy weekday crowd, and the dining area can grow into ample space for the weekend dine-in customers. All while, a Juliet balcony expresses the romantic notions of the Italian alleyway and practically, adds extra general dining space and can be used for private and functions as required.
Serendipitously, the honey marble top to the decadent coffee bar is called ‘Golden Cappuccino.’
The curved roof acknowledges an Italian alley background, but also provides a distinctive architecture to Via Porta.
“One of the favourites of mine, is the deli cabinet, with a textural limestone cladding. It further accentuates this idea of the Italian alleyway… It’s quite robust and monolithic, and it creates a beautiful neutral backdrop to the array of products it showcases.”
A neutral colour palette allows for the artisanal Italian products and shop-made goods to speak for themselves.
The simple glass cabinets showcase the delicious products made in house by the family that first learned cooking from their Italian Nonnas.
The patrons are offered an array of local and imported artisanal products, take-home meals, homemade condiments, cheeses in the deli; all while adding colour and texture to the design. Sarah offers, “that informs the direction of the design and in particular the space planning as the layout needed to allow for a really dynamic and versatile use of space.”
The combination of decorative and straightforward styles speaks to an inimitable Italian style that takes roots in the paving that was a venture of love from the family. The clients, Sarah’s brothers, collected offcuts of stone and paved the floor personally. The Italian flooring reflects up to the curved ceilings and limestone deli cabinet, as well as the grand curved coffee bar, with fluted batons that reference the Alimentari’s and traditional espresso bars found within the Italian alleyways — uniting the sense of heritage.
The intimate upstairs dining room can be used for private parties or corporate dinners, complete with a romanticism-era, Juliet balcony.
“Food has always been a big part of our upbringing especially being of Italian heritage, we’d spend many afternoons with our nonna’s cooking.”
Limestone walls speak to the Italian alleyway bars and delis that inspired Via Porta.
Studio Esteta delved into books of old shops and bars from the 1950s/60s from Italy for inspiration.
“We wanted this venture to be an extension of our family kitchen and pantry, to offer a really beautiful high-end Italian focused dining experience, but then also for patrons be able to take home an array of the products that we make in-house, so they can create memories with food in their homes with their families.”
A deliberately minimal façade begins the Italian introduction from the street, opening up to a deviously larger-than-expected interior.
The bespoke windows swing open upwards to provide more alfresco seating for the warmer months that activate the façade.