Commissioned by Bun Burgers, a rising burger chain in Italy, Masquespacio designed the brand’s first branch in a 140-sqm space in Viale Bligny, Milan. Originally a pizzeria at the ground floor of a residential building, the restaurant was transformed into an instagrammable burger joint bringing a vibrant urban vibe that taps on a youthful market of late millennials and Gen Z.

Upon entering, customers are greeted with the neon burger logo backdropped with lilac and pear-green hues. The space features red brickwork arches that add a smooth contrast to the pastel atmosphere. The dining area splats subtones of green in its terrazzo bench seating, complemented by round leathered backrests and stools. Bringing a brighter ambiance are the classic white orb lamps, brass details and gold accents on signages, digital menu boards and tabletops. The L-shaped restaurant is furnished with typical Masquespacio aesthetic inspired by post-modernism and the Italian design collective Memphis Group founded by Ettore Sottsass in 1981.

In line with the brand’s commitment to sustainability through plant-based meat products and recyclable packaging, Masquespacio considered a plastic-free interior design on its fit-outs and auxiliary built-ins. Potted plants additionally surround the spaces as effective accent to the juxtaposed arrangement of colors. 

Succeeding branches in Milan opened including its Dell’Orso branch at the heart of Brera district. With the same bold character of interiors, the burger joint is splashed with pastel yellow, coral, lilac and mint green ornamented with gold details, terrazzo plasters, and clean arches. Eating on its inner seating area brings more funky “immersive” experience as the reflective walls and blue tiles resemble a pool. Other Milan branches are situated in Bicocca Village, IULM and Arese. 

After widening the market of plant-based burgers in Milan, Masquespacio designed anew its first branch in Turin while maintaining its distinct identity. With the goal of the design to be recognizable wherever they are located, the collaboration continued with the same bright-schemed character but this time with dividing blocks of pink, avocado green and pale aquamarine furnished with varied seating areas. Maximizing natural light through its floor-to-ceiling windows, the sugary-pink area pops the spaces with arched booths underlined with gold trimmings and terrazzo steps. On the other side of the restaurant features a rectangular pool-like area decorated with pool ladders that bring patrons “underwater” while indulging on their burgers. 

Masquespacio is a creative studio based in Valencia, Spain founded by Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse in 2010. Renowned for their bold use of hues and form, they were named ‘Young Talent of The Year’ by Elle Decoration International Magazine in 2020 and have been awarded ‘Interior Designers of The Year’ by the Spanish edition of The New York Times’ T Magazine. With such international recognition, their projects revolve around several countries including Norway, USA, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

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