040 PROJECT 3 PROJECT INFO
Design Atelier Zébulon Perron
zebulonperron.com
Client Anthony Gentile
Construction Planit Construction
Completion September 2020
Project site 4134 Ste-Catherine St West, Montreal, Quebec H3Z 2Y5
Surface area 280m2
(3,000ft2
Lead designer Zébulon Perron
Team Valérie Picard Anik Mandalian Mathieu Belen Samuel Casaubon Audrey Dasilva Justine Rahilly
)
linear gradient motif set at 45º and realised in custom-made tiles, and used across flooring, walls and counters. This helped to break up the long, narrow shape of the plot; Perron says this wasn’t a commercial unit previously, but instead the corridor between them within a kind of mall. Perron was looking for this to be a dynamic element of the design, but also something instantly recognisable, he explains, commenting on the modern-day need for restaurants to have a strong visual presence online. The building itself dated to the 1980s and, though relatively unremarkable, had various features that could be incorporated into the design, including a linear slatted ceiling as well as lightboxes on the sloped ceiling that previously denoted the entrances to each of the commercial units. These have been kept to provide additional lighting in the space.
Perron explains how they used a mix of ‘noble materials’ as well as démodé ones – this meant combinations of real marble, walnut, vinyl, pewter, leather, pre-finished wood panelling (‘that you would have in your grandmothers’ basement’), ceramic tiles, steel, amber glass and mirrors. ‘…And so these things live together in order to create this equilibrium where we want to make sure that it feels there’s an effort and a quality, [but that] it’s unpretentious… it’s inclusive,‘ Perron explains. While the atelier designed the built-in elements such as counters, banquettes and tables, the loose furniture is sourced from flea
markets, including a lucky find of 22 identical vintage light fittings. The space has a mixture of higher counter spaces, a bar area and large shared table next to where the pizziolo is working, and a main dining area with standard table heights.
A specific solution needed to be found for the many pizza boxes that have to be stored – an occupational hazard of a pizza parlour, of course – and the atelier decided to keep these on show and incorporate them into the design, creating an overhead element above the bar, and working with the graphic designers to ensure that the exposed edges of the boxes featured an interesting graphic. Perron is happy with the result and complements his team and the contractors they worked with for the success of the project. He also mentioned that the client was really happy with the result: ‘[It] really struck a chord for him on an emotional level.’
Though some nostalgia is indulged and the space is evocative for the client, the overall effect is not one of pastiche but instead something new – and crucially something that helps the Gentile family to drive its brand forward too.
Coming back to how old and new combine in this way, Perron describes it as a ‘mnemonic remix’, where contemporary gestures are balanced out with ‘mnemonic winks...or memory winks’ – an aptly cheeky and friendly gesture for a welcoming new space in the city.
Previous spread The design balances ’noble’ and démodé materials to create a stylish but unpretentious feel
Clockwise from top left The pizza boxes were incorporated into the design of the bar; vintage elements aim to create a feeling of warmth and familiarity; the linear gradient motif helps to break up the plot's long, narrow shape
Right The colours are of the ’80s: beige, brown and rose gold
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