The authentic appeal of industrial heritage

Located in the heart of Friuli, the Buiese family has been running their namesake distillery for three generations. Originally acquired by Giuseppe Buiese in 1918, the business was relocated by his heirs in 1962 to Martignacco, just a few kilometres from Udine.

As the company grew, the old facility from the 1960s was decommissioned and faced the prospect of demolition. However, a pivotal encounter in 2017 with designer Marcello Minale – brought in to revamp the company’s visual identity – changed its destiny. After a meticulous recovery operation and targeted structural improvements, the former industrial building was transformed into a sales outlet, with a small section still functioning as a distillery (the main production facility is now housed in a nearby structure). Minale’s interior design honours the intention to preserve the authenticity of the space while celebrating its industrial heritage.

The area that originally housed the distillation columns has now been transformed into the entrance, welcoming customers into a large, light-filled vaulted space where natural light floods in through specially designed side windows.

The sales and tasting area takes centre stage, surrounded by displays of liqueurs, spirits and grappas, all featuring iconic labelling.

A little further on, in a more secluded spot, a spiral staircase leads to a mezzanine, a cosy area reserved for events.

The predominant colours are black and grey, although they are present on only part of the flooring. The concrete floor, intentionally marked by small cracks and an irregular perimeter, meets the vibrant colours of Marca Corona’s hexagonal cement tiles. These porcelain stoneware tiles are capable of perfectly replicating a terracotta and concrete effect and are part of the Terra collection, inspired by the company’s historical archives. Produced in small sizes and white, red and grey colours with stylised geometric and floral decorations, the tiles evoke a vintage aesthetic. They blend seamlessly into the interior design, giving the impression of being part of an older, recovered floor. This decorative combination, with its retro charm, enlivens the ambience and becomes a defining feature of the space. Described as “the winning choice to infuse warmth and raw charm into the distillery’s rooms”, the tiles create a perfect dialogue with the reclaimed furniture and industrial-style finishes.