Lève Office Bar: a contemporary take on modernist memory

In the heart of Turin, Fabio Fantolino signs Lève Office Bar, exploring an unconventional theme for the hospitality sector by bringing the imagery of the office into a contemporary and convivial setting. The project is not driven by a simple exercise in nostalgia, but by the desire to revisit the spirit of a specific moment in the history of interior design, when workplaces were conceived with the same attention traditionally reserved for domestic environments, through a focus on materials, compositional rigour and attention to detail.

The result is a restaurant and cocktail bar where the reference to the 1960s becomes the starting point for a contemporary design language. Overlooking a garden in the city centre, the venue builds its identity through a sequence of spaces where reflective surfaces, metals, chrome finishes and bold colours interact with warmer materials, creating a balance between formal precision and a welcoming atmosphere.

The project unfolds as a succession of environments, each with its own identity while contributing to a coherent overall narrative. In the first room, the focal point is a long stainless-steel counter designed by Fantolino, extending across the entire space. Conceived to adapt to different moments of the day, the counter shifts from a functional daytime element into a cocktail station in the evening, highlighting the dynamic nature of the venue. A herringbone floor in warm brick tones introduces a more domestic feel, softening the presence of the metallic surfaces.

The second room develops the dialogue with the office environment more explicitly, reinterpreting its elements without resorting to literal references. Stainless steel, mirrors and chrome details are combined with wood, leather and bouclé fabrics, while the green resin floor creates a continuous surface that unifies the space. On the upper level, upholstered seating is arranged as a series of light partitions, recalling the logic of open-plan offices while creating areas that encourage both social interaction and a sense of intimacy.

Lighting plays a key role in shaping the identity of the project and is conceived as an integral part of the architecture. The luminous grid defining the main room enhances the depth of the space and amplifies the interplay of reflections, while pendant lights introduce a warmer, more domestic rhythm. The selection of lighting fixtures, including pieces by Lambert & Fils and Santa & Cole, reinforces the overall character of the interior without becoming merely decorative.

With this project, Fabio Fantolino confirms an approach in which architecture, interior design and furniture work together as a cohesive whole. Every element, from the bespoke pieces to the choice of materials and colours, contributes to creating a space that avoids theatrical effects in favour of a more enduring and perceptive quality. Lève Office Bar reinterprets conviviality through a sophisticated design language, transforming the memory of Modernism into a contemporary experience.