In Porta Venezia, Milan, Bar Sandøy takes shape—the new interior design project by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners. The Milan-based studio, already known for numerous iconic projects in contemporary hospitality, reinterprets the historic identity of a former 1960s electrical supply shop. Located at Via Melzo 3, the project becomes part of the gastronomic universe of Røst, sharing the same focus on quality, authenticity, and a narrative approach that draws from the history of the place to project it into the present. The name refers to the small Norwegian island of Sandøy, an homage to the origins of the culinary concept and its informal atmosphere. The studio chose to preserve the original floors and walls, interpreting their layers as a visual archive capable of narrating the venue’s past. As Tiziano Vudafieri notes, “the space is renewed without losing its authenticity”—a principle that guides the entire project.
The longitudinal layout leads visitors from the entrance toward the bar counter, anticipating the kitchen beyond. The first section accommodates tables, side shelves, and high stools; the second features the operational area, clad in a striking red-and-black checkerboard band that defines the project’s graphic identity. The environment hosts a total of 25 high-seat places.
The chromatic palette combines deep reds, blacks, and earthy tones. The tables and shelves, made of plywood clad in plastic laminate, recall post-war cafés while reinterpreting their spirit in a contemporary key. Black iron shelving units display the wine selection, while pendant lamps contribute to creating a distinctive atmosphere. A unique feature of the project is the presence of three steel beams placed at mid-height: transformed into an exhibition support, they hold around thirty vintage and contemporary posters from across Europe.
For more information, visit www.vudafierisaverino.it
CREDITS
Project: Bar Sandøy
Studio: Vudafieri-Saverino Partners
Location: Milan, Italy
Year: 2025
Photography: Santi Caleca
