La dolce vita

From BlackWhite magazine - issue 09, gold standard

Atmosphere, authenticity and attention to detail are all on the menu at a must-visit Auckland trattoria.

While the opportunity to try delicious new dishes is a draw for many foodies, these days, having a must-taste menu alone often isn’t enough for fledgling restaurants to bring in customers and keep them coming back. The dining industry has long been among the most competitive sectors, but in a lot of ways, it seems to have become especially tricky as of late. Extended closures during the pandemic forced many restaurants to face tough choices about whether or not to shut for good, but in the years since the most restrictive lockdown periods were lifted, the hospitality industry has yet to see a return to its pre-pandemic levels of patronage. Due to rising inflation, many restaurant goers have less to spend on nights out than they did previously. And with so many dining destinations to choose from, restauranteurs need to dial in every detail to really make their spot a standout with an experiential ambiance worthy of social media attention.

Despite these challenges, Bivacco Bar & Griglia has quickly risen the ranks to become a local favourite and a choice option among the many other dining destinations located in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Those familiar with its owners, Savor Group, may be unsurprised about the restaurant’s fast success given their sensational track record with consistently and uncompromisingly good destinations like Amano, Azabu and Ortolana – but they haven’t done it alone. Savor Group’s long-time collaborator Izzard Design has been instrumental in crafting the enchanting physical spaces that set their restaurants apart. With Bivacco, the brief was to create an iconic venue that embodied fun and vibrancy and encouraged sharing. Not only does the eatery boast delectable, unpretentious Italian fare made from locally-sourced ingredients, but its charming atmosphere offers a locale that feels distinctly special in the context of Auckland’s dining scene.

Walking into Bivacco, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d somehow been magically transported to a trattoria in the twisting streets of Trastevere. Clean lines accompanied with sumptuous materials like smoked timber, elegant travertine and heavily-veined marble are brought together with a combination of warm, creamy white and richly jewel-toned Resene paint colours. Luxurious, tanned leather booths surround an open kitchen on one side, where sculptural preparation benches have been positioned to allow customers to feel included in the cooking experience. On the other side, relaxed bar seating invites friends, colleagues and couples to partake in a casual beverage or share some smaller bites in an area that opens up onto a covered veranda that meets the surrounding boardwalk.

Even if they have yet to dine there, those who frequent Viaduct Harbour will surely have taken note of Bivacco’s exterior transformation. Previously, the building was clad in uninspiring black polystyrene ribbed panels which have since been replaced with far more charming textured plaster painted in Resene Quarter Spanish White that only adds to the project’s authenticity.

When designing a restaurant, Interior Designer Darrelle McWilliams is all about the details – and Bivacco is just one example of her prowess in that regard. During her time at Izzard Design, Darrelle has been building an impressive portfolio of highly-experiential eateries. Some of the other hospitality projects she’s worked on include The Heke Restaurant, Waiheke Whisky Distillery, MoVida Melbourne and Farina Ponsonby. Like Bivacco, each one is a prime example of holistic thinking at work. From the restaurants’ physical spaces to their digital footprint to what arrives on the plate and the uniform of the staff member who delivers it, each facet has been carefully considered in how it will add up to a cohesive sum of all of its parts. Collectively, they offer customers a few hours to escape from ‘real life’ through an immersive experience.

It’s evident that Darrelle has a clear understanding of the important role tools like paint and colour play in creating a welcoming atmosphere and enhancing brand identity. For colour inspiration, she often looks to nature, cultural references, art and fashion for ideas that will support the project’s overarching theme and vision. For Bivacco, the inspiration came from the client’s admiration for Totti’s (Australia) and Cecconi’s Dumbo (Brooklyn). The Resene colours were chosen to bring out subtle tones of the tiling and carpet with prominent pops of teal used alongside warm timbers, which feel quintessentially Italian but with a contemporary twist. Izzard Design also collaborated closely with Tork Design, the creative agency that created Bivacco’s branding, so that the colour palette could be rolled out consistently across the restaurant’s signage, menus, website and social media.

Darrelle says that the Resene Colour Palette Generator was especially useful in exploring and refining colour options for the physical space that would align with the branding, identity and materials. “Although teal greens were incorporated through the branding and soft furnishings, the bar colour choice needed to be a classic green to harmonise and anchor the indoor-outdoor alfresco vibe. To generate depth, we used two tones for the joinery – Resene Gordons Green and Resene Palm Green – that balanced each other. Both these greens complement the pops of green that show up on seating, flooring, trims and uniforms while also anchoring the area and creating a separate zone from the main dining space,” she explains.

“It was important to lighten the space and radically change the look of the building to eliminate any nostalgia from what it was. Essentially, we designed and built a secondary shell within the premises. A new perimeter kitchen wall with large openings hides the back of house and prep areas yet still champions the key cooking and run/pass area to involve the diners with the chefs and the food creation. This partition gave us the opportunity to create a clean crisp surface and lighten the space. We came across the warm beige wall colour, Resene Creme De La Creme, in the latest Resene The Range fashion colours collection and absolutely fell in love with how it paired politely against olive greens. Illuminating this wall and painting the ceiling/services in the deep bush green, Resene Karaka, elevated the space and reinvented the expression of the building,” Darrelle continues.

“To centre it all, we wanted to create a large pop as soon as you walk through the doors. The explosion of Resene Nelson Red on the base of the host podium pairs attractively with the maroon-toned marble top. This formed a point of distinction by choosing a colour that is loud, rich and in high-contrast from the overall design. In the bathroom, we wanted the space to be moody yet timeless, so we used Resene Gordons Green which complemented the chosen teal green tiles perfectly through a colour that is both indulgent and calming.”

Like with many projects, timing proved to be the most critical challenge. Izzard Design’s work began directly after Auckland’s strictest lockdown and Darrelle says that made it difficult to procure materials within the project’s short timeframe – particularly items that were unique or different. “Material supply was low at that time and we had to make quick decisions on finishes to finalise orders. Largely, the complete re-fit was transformed with the use of paint across the whole exterior and interior, which helped lift the polystyrene building and turned it into something of its own,” she says.

Being able to rely on locally-produced products from Resene made it possible to complete the project without sacrificing the colour or character. “I appreciate Resene’s extensive range of colours, which allows for creative freedom and precision in matching design visions, and their customer service is attentive and supportive, which ensures smooth project execution,” adds Darrelle.

Envoy Construction’s Shelly Haggas, whose team served as the main contractor and project manager for the build, agrees that the timeframe was the biggest challenge but she’s proud of how her team came through in delivering the project. “We have fostered such a great relationship between our subcontractors and in-house team that they always prioritise what needs to be done and ensure we deliver a high-quality finish every time. The finished space is absolutely stunning, and it’s a testament to the team at Izzard Design and the lengths they go to in order to source timeless finishes,” she says.

The design and construction teams’ hard work paid off, as the project was recognised with a Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Public + Dining Colour Maestro Award.

Darrelle says that it’s meaningful to have played a role in Bivacco’s success. “Knowing that our design has contributed to creating a space that people love and will be around for years to come brings a great sense of pride and satisfaction. My favourite part is the comfortable booth seating that wraps around at each end, creating a versatile space for large groups or intimate dining. It offers views of every area of the restaurant. Another successful element is the bright Resene Nelson Red host station at the entry, which has become the most photographed feature as it’s very noticeable.”

Darelle's top tips

“I find the Resene Total Colour System invaluable for accuracy and ensuring consistency across different materials and finishes within a project while meeting each surface’s specific requirements.”

“Choose products that are durable and easy to maintain, as restaurants experience high traffic and frequent cleaning. Look for paints and finishes that are washable and resistant to stains and abrasion.”

“Matte finishes like Resene SpaceCote Flat offer a crisp and clean aesthetic while glossier finishes like Resene Enamacryl add a touch of sophistication and luxury. Combining both finishes within a space often enhances the visual impact – a technique we frequently employ on restaurant joinery and wall finishes.”

Colours mentioned in this article...

Products mentioned in this article...

Client: Savor Group
Design: Izzard Design
Build: Envoy Construction
Painting: Shoreline Decorating
Plastering: Pilkington Interiors
Joinery: Blanc, Titan Furniture
Branding: Tork Design
Images: Jono Parker

BlackWhite magazine

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