An immersive trattoria in Hamburg’s beautiful old town

The six-month construction project involved meticulous budget and cost planning, procurement, and programme advice., compliance, and technical due diligence to meet the tight deadline. A stringent approach was taken to health and safety, with requirements outlined in five languages. We acted on behalf of the client to find solutions to challenges including regulations varying from area to area within Hamburg. 

To achieve the precise design vision, every detail had to be double checked to ensure all the finishes met the brief. Critical samples list for materials, including paints, were discussed and signed off by the client or with the client’s chief designer. 

Big Mamma places great importance on its social and environmental footprint, recently acquiring the B-Corp international label. We sourced local suppliers as much as feasibly possible and during the pre-construction dilapidation works, we saved material for reuse —such as the tiles in the small satellite kitchens downstairs.  We also managed separation of different wastes for recycling.  

We communicated closely with the client and their chief designer throughout the whole project, with regular calls and meetings, and provision of a weekly progress report with photography of works undertaken.  

There were several construction challenges that needed to be overcome. For example, as the building was a former bank, the walls were structurally reinforced. Therefore, specialist diamond core drilling subcontractors were sourced for works to the walls and flooring.  

There were some border control challenges with exporting their chosen paint from France, so we collected it ourselves. Paint that was signed off as a sample was no longer being manufactured, but luckily, the company made us a new higher gloss finish.