1. The Project & the Clients

The clients approached me with the ambition of creating a fine food and deli shop, including a dedicated area for selling cheese and charcuterie. The space was completely empty — located on the ground floor of a newly constructed building, with no previous commercial activity.
They needed a comprehensive project study: to design the shop layout, assess feasibility, and gather all the necessary elements to build a business plan and present the concept to the bank.

2. The Challenge

The goal was to create a complete customer experience from scratch, while respecting technical and regulatory constraints, and clearly reflecting the brand identity and the premium product range.
The idea was to design a high-end urban delicatessen, aimed at an urban, epicurean clientele, with a look and feel that’s elegant, contemporary, and warm — far from the rustic codes of a typical countryside grocery store.

3. The Solution

• We worked on a complete zoning strategy, integrating deli space, charcuterie area, walk-in fridge, office, restrooms, a break area for staff, and storage, all within a fluid, well-organized layout.
• A custom-designed central island was created to combine aesthetic appeal with functionality.
• We designed custom mobile furniture on wheels, allowing the space to be reconfigured easily based on seasonal product displays and changing merchandising needs. This choice brought flexibility and visual dynamism to the shop.
• The layout was designed to optimize flow and to comply with all public access building regulations (ERP standards).

Design-wise:

• The color palette was chosen to reflect the nature of the products: terracotta tones for meat and charcuterie, and green hues for the agricultural and fresh produce aspect.
• Premium materials such as metal, brass, and marble countertops were used to reinforce the upscale positioning.
• We incorporated organic, rounded shapes throughout the furniture and layout, to evoke a sense of indulgence and comfort, creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and appealing to the senses.
• Natural light was preserved and showcased, while technical areas and back-of-house functions were discreetly hidden within the design.

4. The Transformation

The result is an urban gourmet delicatessen, both elegant and highly functional, located in the heart of the city.
Every requirement from the brief was addressed:

• Dedicated areas for catering, charcuterie, and cheese
• Walk-in fridge, office, restrooms, staff break room, storage space
• Smooth and logical customer circulation
• Adaptable and mobile furniture, suited to a variety of product types
• Highlighted storefront display with maximized use of natural light
• A refined and inviting ambiance, thanks to carefully selected materials, a meaningful color palette, and soft, organic design lines

What was once an empty shell is now a warm, sensory gourmet experience — a space that is fully functional, compliant, and emotionally engaging, perfectly aligned with the vision of its creators.