At La Bottega di Franco restaurant in Bologna, patrons can book a table on the treetop terrace to savor a meal immersed in nature, dining under a canopy of horse chestnut trees.
Giacomo Saltarelli, the owner of La Bottega di Franco, wanted to architecturally integrate a dining space into the landscape, so he summoned Sullalbero s.r.l., who constructed a treehouse 3.6 meters (12 feet) high below the foliage of two large horse chestnut trees. Sullalbero's other natural architecture projects can be found around Italy, including the Relais Tenuta il Cigno Treehouse in Villanterio, located south of Milan in the province of Pavia; the Nordic Treehouse on Lake Garda; and the Terrazza Parco Teresio Olivelli in Tremezzo near Lake Como.
Photo: Umberto Ammiraglio
The tree restaurant
The territory of Bologna and its surroundings in Emilia-Romagna stand front and center on the menu. The chef visits the local farmers' market daily, crafting dishes around the available vegetables, cereals, meat, and other raw materials. The bread and pasta are prepared in-house daily, and the menu presents traditional recipes, such as tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini in brodo, alongside inventive ones. Starters range from burrata with pink shrimp, potato mousse, zucchini flowers, raw asparagus, and lime to panzanella with marinated swordfish, cherry tomatoes, basil, Tropea onion confit, and sake sauce.
Gnocchi with saffron, squid, beans, and scallop crudo. Photo: Umberto Ammiraglio
The pasta dishes revisit tradition, such as the gnocchetti with saffron, squid, beans, and scallop crudo or the semolina spaghetti cacio e pepe with a shellfish reduction and pink shrimp. The tasting of Emilian Apennine cheeses with honey and jams is an homage to the territory, and the desserts include dark chocolate mousse with hazelnut biscuit and raspberry sauce or soft mascarpone with tiramisu, coffee gel, and black rice crumble.
The structure on the tree
Secluded and discreet, the treetop terrace comprises laminated wood beams and Engadine larch woods. All were treated with natural finishes according to the guidelines of bio-architecture and in full compliance with tree protection and guest safety standards. Sector specialists, agronomists, architects, and engineers supervised the construction process.
photo: Umberto Ammiraglio
The project was carried out with regard to the health and stability of the trees, which were assessed via visual and instrumental investigations. A laser scanner survey allowed the designers to digitally capture the position and shape of the trunks and branches, and transfer it to 3D modeling software in order to bring the project to life.
Cover photo: Umberto Ammiraglio