Nestled opposite the serene Botanical Gardens of Belfast, sits Orto, an all-day pizzabar.

Taking pride as dough specialists, Orto combines their Chef and Master Baker's skills to serve fresh, wood-fired pizza, focaccia, and Vienoisserie goods for the varied demographic that occupies the area.

During a brand naming and conceptualisation session, we took inspiration from the area’s leafy surroundings and use of natural, seasonal ingredients, eventually realising the Stranmillis pizzeria as ‘Orto,’ Italian for herb garden.  The welcoming, friendly ambiance also informed the branding and logo direction of the area, a feeling Orto’s owners wished to reflect within the pizzeria’s space.

This convivial atmosphere was encapsulated through light-hearted, painterly typography and illustrations; a nod to the building’s prior use as artist William Conor’s studio. Merging a punchy colour palette of Marinara Red, Sage Green and Mozzarella Cream with an illustration series of O’s ensured there was a ‘perfectly imperfect’ edge to the brand, a subtle nod to the idea that no two pizzas are the same.

Taking ownership of the interior design aspect of the scheme enabled Crown to take a holistic approach. An injection of the brand colour palette into interior elements such as tiling, wall/ceiling finish and upholstery further amplified the warm, humorous and gregarious spirit of Orto.