Sant Ambroeus 咖啡吧丨美国阿斯彭丨Giampiero Tagliaferri

Aspen has long been the destination that offers more than slaloming and slopes, on any given day it rivals St Moritz with its martini-and-Moncler lifestyle. So it is no surprise that the Sant Ambroeus hospitality group decided to expand their brand to this town, and who better to bring that Milanese feel, than Los Angeles-based Italian-born designer Giampiero Tagliaferri. Inspired by Alpine Modernism and the works of Carlo Mollino, Franco Albini and Marcel Breuer, the Sant Ambroeus Coffee bar is a textural tasting plate of materials that draw on the contextual and comfortable.

In conjunction with Breuer’s brutalist-inspired concrete curves outlining the marble-topped barista’s bench, the flagstone floor tessellated throughout the space becomes the perfect palette for any avant-or-apre-ski activity. Refuge from the cold is brought about by the warmth of the Walnut wood panelling backdrop that welcomes one to the bar, speaking to the traditional Milanese heritage of the Sant Ambroeus brand.

Building on this, Tagliaferri included vintage Italian furniture and fixture pieces such as Mario Bellini’s Le Bambole sofas, 1950s Carlo Ratti chairs and wall sconces from the 1970s. There is a softness and a sense of welcome evoked by the shapes of these pieces and the warm glow of the sconces, which is perfectly matched by the character of the Raf Simmons’ for Kvadrat Mongolian Lamb faux fur wall covering.

Also from Simmons’ collection is the turmeric-coloured corduroy that encases the window-abutting banquette of the coffee bar. The custom concrete and cord piece continues throughout the space, enhancing the affluent green hue of the Verde Alpi marble that juxtaposes the fur walls in an almost innate manner.

Playing on the illusion of being wedged into the marble, timber and fur panels, lightning light fixtures are edged in mirrored shrouds that reflect on the materials they have been fixed to, adding sharp, vertical elements to a collection of otherwise soft shapes. The egg-white cone-like pendants throughout are fixed to a dark ceiling, giving the illusion of floating lights and tying into the overall lighting scheme that emits a mellow glow that pays further homage to elements of 1970’s interior design.

If the space were to emit a sound, one imagines it would be mellifluous and melodic, inviting its users to stay for more than one espresso, as the crema-quality fit-out suggests that ordering anything ‘take-away’ is off the table.

[Images courtesy of Giampiero Tagliaferri. Photography by Billal Taright.]