Buza Gelato Gallery

‘Buza’, the Arabic word for ice cream, is a boutique ice cream brand. It is an Arabic-Jewish partnership that started a few years ago in the Galilee district in the north of Israel. Buza’s small ice cream factory is located in Kibbutz Sasa, at the foot of Mount Meron overlooking lush apple orchards; And the first shop was opened a few years ago in the nearby Arabic village, Tarshiha.

As a modern ‘third-wave’ ice cream, Buza specializes in natural and unique flavors, made of local produce. When designing the Tel-Aviv store, architects Simon Barazin and Jonathan Canetti wanted to incorporate all of the brand’s values into the space and create a modern, simple, sophisticated place. The 50 sqm space was considered not as a shop, but rather a small gallery in which one can taste the unique flavors of Buza. 

The principal idea of the design was to create a continuum of surfaces. The counters, walls, bleachers  and floors are all made of planes that combine into solid shapes in the space. All these surfaces are covered with the same tiles; a single material with a strong impact that is the main protagonist of the space. 

The green-teal shaded tiles used are full-bodied rectified ceramic tiles. The marblelike texture is created by the material itself, rather than being applied on like most common ceramic tiles. This means that each tile is different and has a natural appearance. These highly durable tiles have a smooth, matt finish and they are very pleasant to touch. So one can sit, lean and walk on.

This particular shade of green references the green scenery which Buza comes from. That same natural Galilee landscape is also displayed on a large 3 meter long light-box. The color of the space was also meant to compliment the newly designed ice cream cups and packages. On the long wall of the shop, a series of five abstract posters are exhibited. They were created as ice cream inspired art pieces by Evian-Saggi Studio, the graphic designer who did the re-branding of the packaging. 

The light fixtures and lit logo-signs were custom designed as well, with cool white led light. The clean space of the ice cream gallery, stands in contrast to the rough urban environment that surrounds it, offering a quiet getaway.

Buza Gelato Gallery in Tel Aviv is the brainchild of the architects Simon Barazin and Jonathan Canetti (Studio S.B.), who sought to create a sort of boutique ice cream parlour: a modern setting with a simple yet sophisticated style, where customers can sample the unique flavours of artisan ice cream made from natural ingredients in the small factory that sits at the foot of Mount Meron, with a splendid view over the lush apple orchards.

The project got the second place in the category "Public buildings, industrial and services" at the XII edition of the Grand Prix international architecture award promoted and organized by Casalgrande Padana. The use of ceramic material for all the surfaces in the building shapes an enveloping, precise architectural shell, in which a smooth, soft green combines with the choice of the same material for all the coverings to create a sensation of tranquility, with an almost abstract dimension, blending in with the city landscape. The ceramic material extends beyond the structural and decorative dimension, taking on a three-dimensional role that becomes a founding architectural element.

The key idea of the project was to create seamless surfaces, using the same 30x60 porcelain stoneware tiles from the Marte collection, in the colour Verde Guatemala, for the floor, walls, counters and steps. A single material with a striking visual impact thus plays a leading role in this setting, enveloping the shapes in the same distinctive shade of green that recalls the natural landscape Buza ice cream comes from.

Marte is a stoneware collection inspired by the beauty of natural marble. Available in 15 different colour variants and in 7 sizes (15x15 cm, 15x60 cm, 40x40 cm, 30x30 cm, 30x60 cm, 60x60 cm and 60x120 cm), with a thickness of 9.4mm, the Marte collection adds to the intense, natural beauty of marble-effect surfaces with a rich, variegated range that offers new composition solutions for both flooring and coverings. Extra-high-definition graphics and shades of colour highlight the unique appeal of every single detail. Shades of grey and intense colours team practical appeal with beauty, as classic style engages with a contemporary project, creating new expressions of light.

Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware is non-absorbent and safe, because it contains no chemical waterproofing agents, varnishes or resins. It is ecological, eco-compatible, fire-resistant, and in the event of fire, it does not release toxic substances. It is antibacterial (thanks to the Bios Antibacterial® technology available on request), easy to lay and requires no special maintenance. With extraordinary bending strength and resistance to abrasion, weather, stains and chemicals, these collections offer an ideal solution for floors and coverings, for both residential spaces and use in public settings or contract projects.