18 Aug DELI di BOSSI – an authentic taste of Italy
Located in a downtown Auckland laneway, DELI di BOSSI is an exciting new deli delivering an authentic taste of Italy to punters in the CBD. The family-owned store sits alongside its soon-to-be-open ‘big brother’, Bossi restaurant.
The Italian family behind Bossi was determined to deliver a traditional and authentic space which wouldn’t be out of place in their home country, yet also fitted the ethos and vibe of New Zealand’s sparkling harbour city. Project lead and designer at CTRL_ Sarah Carney was in charge of the project from start to finish. She recalls that the initial client brief, and in fact many of the subsequent progress discussions, were held ‘the Italian way’ – around a table, over a wine and a meal.
“The original brief for the project was based on the family’s Italian heritage and history, which is incredibly important to them,” Sarah says. “They really wanted to wow New Zealanders with an authentic deli offering that wasn’t already here – cheeses, meats, pasta, breads and the specialty Italian foods they had grown up eating and drinking.”
To set off this delicious cuisine, the design and fit-out of the space had to be equally special – a mix of contemporary and timeless, yet something that made everyone feel welcome. Enter Datum Projects, who delivered a fit-out inspired by the classic yet opulent interiors so reminiscent of Italian society.
“Having worked with Datum on other fit-outs, we knew that they would ‘get’ the attention to detail this job demanded,” Sarah notes. “And they also ‘got’ the family aspect, in that they understood that this was a family-driven project everyone was passionate about. All parties were on the same page with what we were trying to achieve.”
While Covid lockdowns and supply issues delivered a few curveballs, Sarah reflects that the fit-out process went pretty smoothly, with “just a few adaptations here and there.” With such a small space to work in, every centimetre was key, with no room for error. Datum’s craft and finishes are evident in every part of the fit-out, from the marble counters to the bespoke cabinetry. “Datum really helped us create some of those really beautiful details on the floor, the timber joins and just brought that extra level of detail and craft.”
Sarah explains the push/pull of achieving a design that meets the goal of a homely, local ‘hang-out’ spot, while also hitting the mark with a modern, beautifully designed space that draws people in. “The site is unique in that it is a kind of in-between space within the building fabrics. It doesn’t have a typical facade or a shopfront – it’s tucked into a laneway – but it does have such an inviting vibe. You do feel like you’re supposed to be there, and it’s comfortable to stay and to eat.”
With Datum also helping to fit-out the adjacent Bossi restaurant, this corner of Auckland is becoming a cool foodie destination. But with a broader lens, Sarah is especially excited about how contemporary design is taking some of these unused spaces in the city, and reshaping them for public use.
“Some opportunities that are out there don’t necessarily present themselves initially as being a stellar retail or hospitality environment. But that’s where the design challenge lies. We took a little spot, not particularly appealing and made it something alluring, almost a little hidden. You almost stumble upon it, and I’m excited by that sense of discovery.”
DELI di BOSSI is open now, so if you’re in the area, check out Datum’s handiwork while you’re sipping a perfectly-brewed espresso. And check back again soon, when Datum Projects brings the next iteration of the Bossi brand to life.