Italian cuisine is better known for bistecca than burgers, but around the time the word “hamburger” entered the lexicon and the quainter “svizzere” made its way out, the patty has emerged as another culinary triumph for the country. Yet, Burger Pass, a new eatery in Palermo still betrays a preference for Americana-style diners – albeit, distilling that typology to its essence – with neon signage, blood-red accents and shiny stainless steel.

“Its visual references draw on the imagery of 1950s American diners, filtered through contemporary sensibility and informed by selected cues from 1970s office interiors,” say Studio Didea, the architects behind the project. Conceived for a generations-old family-run business, their interior is, the firm’s words, “not a simple container but a system able to adapt, renew itself and speak to different audiences.”

Light-reflective steel is central – as a “direct reference to the industrial aesthetic of historic diners” – defining the counters, furnishings and details. Behind the counter, a steel mesh forms a subtle backdrop for the logo. And red is the “identifying element,” appearing in the grid ceiling system, which integrates lighting and services. Balancing these stark finishes, wood details and the terrazzo floor introduce warmth and familiarity.

“The project stems from the idea of creating a system of spaces conceived not only for consumption, but for meeting, staying, and recognition,” explains Nicola Andò, architect and creative director of Didea. “Spaces able to offer an alternative to traditional fast food, maintaining a balance between speed of service, food quality, and architectural identity.”