Kokoro Firenze

When an abandoned space becomes an opportunity to create a new identity and restore value to its urban context, the result is a project that goes beyond simple renovation. KOKORO Florence embodies this vision: the transformation of a restaurant that had been vacant for years and left in an advanced state of decay into a contemporary space that engages with the city's historic fabric, respecting its architectural heritage while reinterpreting it.

The project redefined the layout, creating an experience centered around an unexpected feature: a large inner courtyard. Surrounding by residential buildings, this hidden oasis becomes the heart of the restaurant—a place where the noise of the city gives way to a calm and immersive atmosphere. The outdoor space was designed with particular sensitivity, integrating furniture, greenery, and landscape elements to ensure privacy, reduce visual and acoustic impact on the neighboring residences, and strengthen the relationship between the project and its surroundings.

Water becomes the project's central narrative element. A pool and a dramatic waterfall organize the courtyard, defining a series of dining islands and transforming the outdoor area into a dynamic environment that engages visitors through a multisensory experience. More than simply an exterior dining space, it becomes an integral part of the restaurant's identity.

The interiors also tell a story through materials. The three dining rooms are defined by the careful use of materials that give each space its own character while maintaining a consistent design language throughout the project. Wood, metal, wallpaper, and recycled PET are reinterpreted in different ways: wood shapes custom architectural walls that integrate greenery and lighting; metal becomes a refined decorative element within the furnishings; wallpaper recalls the identity of the client's first restaurant; while recycled PET, in addition to improving acoustic comfort, creates three-dimensional wall textures and modular ceiling compositions that transform a technical necessity into a distinctive design feature.

Lighting completes the architectural narrative. A bespoke lighting system was developed to interact with the selected materials and spatial geometries, while a custom-designed arched lighting element, conceived to overcome the structural constraints of the ceiling, becomes a defining feature of the space, seamlessly combining functionality, technical innovation, and visual identity.