Elevate Your Bar’s Vibe with Arpa® Surfaces – Now in South Africa via Max on Top

A contemporary and colourful bar uses Arpa® surfaces, brought to South Africa by Max on Top, to elevate its vibrant atmosphere with depth and texture.

In the heart of Sondrio — a charming Alpine town in northern Italy known more for its panoramic vineyards and historic piazzas than for cutting‑edge interiors — a local institution has quietly undergone a striking rebirth. Amanzio bar, an aperitivo landmark spanning three generations, has shed its classical skin without losing an ounce of its soul.

The secret to this successful transformation? A sophisticated yet playful orchestration of materials from Arpa Industriale, rooted in Italian craftsmanship and contemporary design innovation.

A Palette of Atmosphere

Designed by the acclaimed studio BM Italia, the renovation aimed to infuse Amanzio with a fresh identity that still acknowledged its legacy. The brief was clear: respect the bar’s timeless warmth while introducing an approach distinctly of our era — one that resonates with today’s design‑savvy clientele.

Central to this vision are Arpa’s high‑quality surfaces, masterfully deployed to add movement, depth and vibrant contrast throughout the space. The bar’s walls are clad in Tuet deep surface in Caravella Dark — a decor that draws its expressive wave‑like rhythm from the natural movement of reeds, bringing a tactile, dynamic quality to high‑traffic areas. Its resonant rhythm gives the entire interior a sense of motion and authenticity.

At the same time, the bar face is lined in Visone decor finished in Ghibli, whose translucent chiaroscuro effect reshapes how light and volume interact. The result? A bar that feels both sculptural and intimate — a contemporary centerpiece with tactile subtlety and enduring performance.

Crafted for the Senses

What’s truly noteworthy about the material choice is the balance between durability and aesthetic refinement, a hallmark of Arpa’s design philosophy. The deeply textured Tuet surface withstands daily wear while enriching the bar’s architectural narrative. Meanwhile, the Ghibli finish evokes classic Italian colour moods — a nod, perhaps, to historic liqueurs and the warm palette of Mediterranean sunsets.

Tuet draws on the effects of wood ribbed texture with finer, cleaner lines. Placed in high-traffic areas, its durability protects and completes the design. On the other hand, Ghibli applied to a classic nude-nuanced colour strongly evokes the Art Deco mood of [Italian historic liqueur brand] Campari Aperol. This durable finish has allowed us to make the front of the bar both technical and compact,” Gianoli affirmed.

Design That Respects Place and Time

This project is emblematic of a growing trend in hospitality design: a reconnection to material authenticity without sacrificing contemporary expression. In this bar, the classic charm of northern Italy’s architectural heritage meets a contemporary vocabulary shaped through texture, tactility and light.

Ultimately, Amanzio’s redesign demonstrates how thoughtful material choices — from advanced surface technologies to inspired applications — can redefine spatial experience. With Arpa® at its core, the bar now embodies a vibrant atmosphere that is as dynamic as its history is rich.

To explore the Arpa® collection locally, visit www.maxontop.co.za or connect with Max on Top for product availability, samples and expert specification support in South Africa.