Elemento Pizza

1350 Concourse Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 United States

Building Area (sf): 3,900 sf

Completion: 2018

Architect of Record:

LRK

Rebecca Courtney (Principal in Charge), Tony Pellicciotti (Principal), Megan Hoover (Designer), Chaderlee Roy-Shellabarger (Designer)

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Ybos and Sons
• Electrical: OGCB (MEP)
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Nick McGinn & firm
  

Anchoring the southeast corner of the 1.3-million-square-foot Crosstown Concourse building, the space celebrates the art and simplicity of Neapolitan pizza-making.

The overall setting of the space remains raw: plaster wrapped concrete columns, exposed brick, board-formed concrete ceilings, and rugged concrete floors. Minimal design interventions bring warmth and purpose to the space and allow patrons to see the technique of making pizza from mixing dough to firing in the oven. Light and dark materials create a simple contrast in spatial elements; metallic accents highlight key components. Two imported tile-clad ovens anchor the space against a shimmering metallic charcoal wall. Encircling the ovens is a concrete bar that feels elemental to the existing concrete and highlights the process and techniques of pizza-making. These elements, while soft, bring the space to life and set the stage for artisan pizza.