ALDO'S GELATO

DESIGN CONCEPT

Aldo's Gelato is conceived as an urban pavilion of pleasure, translating the fluidity of Italian gelato into an architectural language of curves, layers and light. The concept explores the idea of “melting volumes”: shells and canopies appear to dissolve and overlap, creating a dynamic, welcoming threshold between city and interior. This design is replicated and adapted in 13 locations across Mexico, ensuring a recognizable brand identity while responding to each specific urban context.  

Color becomes a key narrative device. The intense red of the brand is used as a continuous ribbon that folds from façade to ceiling to counter, guiding the eye and generating a sense of movement and energy. Neutral tones in beige, wood and soft greys balance this vibrancy, offering a calm background that celebrates the chromatic richness of the gelato itself.  

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ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT AND FLOW  

The plan is structured around a clear linear axis: entrance, exhibition counter, and seating area. Generous openings and transparent façades blur interior and exterior, inviting passersby to visually connect with the product from the public realm. In open-mall locations, the kiosk typology adopts a free-standing, sculptural envelope that orients the main counter toward the highest pedestrian flows.  

Circulation is intuitive and efficient. Customer movement naturally follows the display of flavors, while staff routes remain compact and ergonomic behind the counter, minimizing cross-traffic. Seating zones are fragmented into small clusters—two- and four-seat groupings—encouraging short stays but allowing easy reconfiguration for larger groups.  

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MATERIALS, COLORS AND LIGHTING  

The material palette combines high-gloss, hygienic surfaces with warm, tactile elements. Solid surfaces and polished laminates in red and white define the food-handling areas, ensuring durability and easy cleaning. These are complemented by textured wall panels and faux-stone or brick finishes, evoking artisanal production and Italian café culture.  

Ceilings are treated as sculptural elements: red lacquered canopies, perforated panels and suspended wooden blades create depth and acoustical comfort while integrating linear and recessed LED lighting. Warm white light above seating areas contrasts with cooler light at the display vitrines, where accurate color rendering is crucial to present the gelato and pastries.  

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BRANDING, GRAPHICS AND INTERIOR ATMOSPHERE  

The architecture operates as a three-dimensional brand envelope. Logos are integrated into volumetric signage, canopies, and corner elements, making each location instantly recognizable. Large-scale photographic murals and typographic phrases reinforce an emotional, convivial narrative, positioning the spaces as places to share moments rather than merely consume a product.  

Furniture follows an informal, contemporary café vocabulary. Chairs in red and white with slender black legs echo the brand colors without overwhelming the space. Timber-look flooring and tabletops ground the composition, while full-height glazing frames exterior views, enhancing the perception of openness and lightness.  

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SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

Sustainability is addressed through modular design, material selection and energy efficiency. The kiosk and interior elements are conceived as repeatable modules, reducing waste in fabrication, optimizing transport, and enabling partial reuse when relocating or updating units across the 13 sites. Durable laminates, LED lighting, and high-efficiency refrigeration equipment help reduce operational energy consumption and maintenance.  

Large glazed fronts maximize natural daylight, decreasing reliance on artificial lighting during daytime. In open-air locations, canopy geometries provide shade to both customers and equipment, mitigating solar gain and improving thermal comfort in Mexico’s warm climates. Where possible, landscaping and existing trees are integrated to enhance microclimate, promote urban biodiversity and reinforce the sense of place around each Aldo's Gelato pavilion.