Studio Tillack Knöll, Design Practice

Dolce far niente—The sweetness of doing nothing swiftly became the bar’s ethos, reflecting in its top-notch service and menu quality. »Gian Paolo e Marco«, a meticulously crafted bar that opened in September 2021, redefined modern bar interiors in Stuttgart. Garnering international recognition in Architecture magazines, we played a key role in shaping the bar’s identity.

The logo, reminiscent of vintage Italian craftsmanship, mirrors the brand’s narrative, drawing from long summers and mid-century Mediterranean heritage. Specially crafted ligatures adeptly evoke ancient Italian craftsmanship, enhancing the connection.

Following the creation of the brand’s wordmark, our focus shifted to crafting a brandbook that recounts the tale of Gian Paolo and Marco, bartenders who sought refuge from Italy’s mid-20th century economic decline. Their journey led them to Stuttgart, where they joined forces with their cherished colleague Tatti, who established a café nearby. The booklet, featuring a two-color print, served as both an offering during the bar’s opening weeks and promotional material for Emilu, the neighboring hotel. 

Subsequently, the Gian Paolo e Marco design was extended across diverse printed materials.

The menu book is the heart of any bar, and this was no exception at »GPeM«, where meticulous attention to detail was paramount. We strived to maintain this ethos while designing the menu book.

In a sub-branding, we also designed stickers to put on coffee bags for Gian Paolo e Marcos very own  roast — MOZZAFIATO. We used our very own variable typeface »Pepi« for that.