Il Corso is a restaurant in a family tennis club complex. In crafting its concept, we wove a story of merging elegant sport with relaxation and refined dining. Inspired by the idea of family gatherings, we embraced Italian motifs, diving into the essence of Tuscany, with its slow, warm days, leisure in the shade of cypresses, and the ambiance of countryside villas bathed in soft terracotta hues.
Guests are surrounded by olive trees and cozy courtyards softly lit by lamps in the evening coolness. The design incorporates classic colors and materials, modernized forms, and woven metaphors that subtly reference tennis.
The space on the second floor lacks façade windows but features a front wall offering a panoramic view of the tennis courts. Visitors can watch multiple matches at once, parents can observe their children's first steps in the sport, and kids can learn by watching professional players in action.
The main hall resembles a spacious courtyard with a stone-paved floor and numerous olive trees. The ceiling is adorned with a large, unique structural light fixture that stretches above like a starry sky. Additional pendant lights resembling lanterns hang over the tables, adding extra coziness. The perimeter is lined with wooden panels featuring interesting accents. The ambiance is maintained by terracotta and olive tones, complemented by natural materials like wood and stone, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The bar-balcony, with beams held up by a column of large glass tennis balls frozen in time, stands elevated above the main hall for an ideal vantage point, allowing bartenders to keep an eye on empty glasses. The bar is slightly raised on a step for better control. A separate wine room caters to connoisseurs, featuring a mobile serving table for aperitifs, creating a dedicated space for those who appreciate fine wine and the art of its presentation.
A communal table, perfect for heated discussions about challenging serves, victories, and matches, is highlighted not by an ordinary pergola but by a giant tennis racket. Nearby, a labyrinthine cabinet features an array of compartments and doors in different colors and sizes, concealing souvenirs and tennis trophies within its intricate design.
A separate small room deserves attention, with a wall telling a short story about one object—a vintage wooden racket that surprises the younger generation, showing the technological transformation to the modern ultra-light carbon rackets we know today. In this room, giant glass tennis balls have been transformed into light fixtures, suspended from the ceiling, adding a unique touch to the space.
