Acquabella Bistrot: an installation between colour and materiality

Located on Viale Argonne, inside the municipal market of Milan’s Acquabella district, this small bistro, deli, and cocktail bar has taken shape as an informal space with a strong, distinctive identity. The project originates from a highly characterizing graphic treatment of the walls, which immediately defines the visual tone of the space and guides the design choices.

Controprogetto handled the design and production of bespoke furniture, deliberately working through contrast: simple lines, essential proportions, and carefully calibrated touches of colour, able to dialogue with the graphic elements without overlapping them. Tables, benches, the bar counter, and bottle racks were designed to support the venue’s everyday use while reinforcing its identity. The result is a welcoming and original space in which colour becomes an integral part of the experience: stepping into Acquabella feels like entering a lively, immersive environment—almost a contemporary cartoon—designed for lingering, eating, and meeting.