The Cannoncino pastry shop in Piacenza, designed by Studio Vanda, develops a retail concept where branding, interior design and product identity converge into an immersive environment shaped by organic forms. The project is conceived as a total concept built around the cannoncino, a traditional Italian pastry reinterpreted as both a visual and architectural element.
The project integrates naming, logo design, location selection and interior retail design within a coordinated vision. The objective is to transform the physical characteristics of the pastry into a spatial language capable of defining the identity of the venue.
“Imagine entering a freshly baked cannoncino, hearing sounds softened by pastry cream, immersing yourself in the curves of sweetness, smelling butter and powdered sugar.” Vanda
Food retail branding and spatial identity
The concept originates from the structural analysis of the cannoncino, characterized by its spiral shape that combines lightness and resistance. This geometry becomes the starting point for the development of the brand identity, influencing naming, logo design and interior architecture.
The pastry’s curved form is translated into a fluid retail environment without sharp corners, defined by continuous surfaces and soft transitions. The project transforms the product into a spatial experience while strengthening the recognizability of the brand.
Organic forms and monochromatic surfaces
To define the architectural language of the pastry shop, Studio Vanda draws inspiration from the organic architecture of the Goetheanum in Dornach designed by Rudolf Steiner. Soft curves replace traditional angles, creating an enveloping and visually continuous environment.
The interior uses a single beige tone described as “pastry cream color”, applied across walls, furniture and surfaces to generate depth through shadows and subtle contrasts. This monochromatic approach amplifies the perception of comfort and spatial continuity.
The resulting atmosphere is immersive and insulated from the urban context, transforming the pastry shop into a sensory experience centered on softness, light and material coherence.
Lighting design and metallic finishes
The lighting design emphasizes the system of organic curves through circular brass pendant lamps. Light is diffused softly and indirectly, avoiding sharp contrasts while reinforcing the welcoming atmosphere of the interior.
Furniture selections follow the same design approach. Metallic materials and bronze finishes interact with the monochromatic background without creating visual interruptions, instead reflecting light and introducing subtle material variations within the space.
The Cannoncino pastry shop interprets contemporary food retail through a balance between branding, interior architecture and sensory perception, transforming the product into an architectural and narrative element.
Client: Cannoncino
Project: Vanda Studio
Location: Piacenza, Italy
Bar Stools: Homecom
Mirror: WestwingNow
Lighting: Mazzolaluce, Amlux, Kavehome, WestwingNow
Photo Courtesy: Valentina Elmiger
Studio Vanda
Valentina Elmiger and Aurora de la Fuente founded VANDA in 2013. The studio develops interdisciplinary projects for retail, hospitality, residential and corporate sectors, integrating concept design, interiors, product design and visual communication.
by AN Shopfitting Magazine no.170 ©