Interiors

Grill X by Romolo Stanco

8 July 2008

Italian architect Romolo Stanco designed the interior of Grill X, a restaurant concept in Casale Monferrato in Piedmont.

Food is cooked in front of customers on “incandescent plates”.

See Romolo Stanco’s Elfostudio recording studio in our earlier story.

The following information is from the architect:

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Sushi Style:
X – Grill / Beef and Vegetables Grill Bar

Perspective, presence in space and interaction with the place represent the conditions that trigger emotions, feelings, and opinions. They all depend on the chosen viewpoint. By shifting to a different viewpoint, one sees everything in a new way: shadows, colours, volumes look different, and redesign space.

Grill X is based on this idea. Seeing, interacting, taking a peek, moving around in a place that has been made to be perceived from many perspectives: these elements are usually overlooked while planning traditional restaurants. In the Sushi bar they become predominant. Here looks, curiosity, the use of space are all mixed up in one huge eating area.

Grill X is inspired by the typical Sushi bar, but with a new approach. All food is prepared on incandescent plates that incessantly cook vegetables and beef directly under our eyes. We can take our meal sitting at the same bench where it was grilled.

The bench, looking like a monolith, a giant iceberg, dramatically divides the space, and at the same times stays incredibly permeable. It slides, it collapses, it melts under the burning plates, and yet it’s as solid as a drifting block of ice. It’s liquid, as well, as a living thing injured by use and by its function.

The construction of the X-Grill Bar has been completed in 13 days with a very low budget and after this summer it will become a franchising concept with the name Spiedonny.

Architect and Designer: Romolo Stanco
Design staff: Romolo Stanco, Martino Scolari
Client: Alba srl
Location: Casale Monferrato, Italy
Surface: 160 mq