On the one hand, ice cream is usually something that sells itself and requires no conscious branding or much effort put into the parlour. On the other hand, however, designing an ice-cream shop is one of the most grateful tasks: a small place focusing on a single product, that brings in connotations like sweetness, summer, childhood, etc. Based on these keywords,  a strong visual language can be built around summer’s favourite dessert, turning ice cream licking into a real experience. Let's see 5 examples for the possible interpretaions of gelato from across the globe.

1. Once Upon a Cream, Hua Hin, Thailand





The interior of Once Upon a Cream ice cream shop in Hua Hin, Thailand, operates exactly with the imagery of a magical candy factory. Somewhat in Willie Wonka’s spirit design-wise, the furniture is a combination of wood and brass, with a slight industrial touch recalling early factories, where the manufacturing process was more exposed and experienceable. The facade’s cogwheel detail takes a more direct allusion to a nostalgic chocolate factory, while the pastel colours of the walls mute the spirit down, as designed by local studio Mada.

2. ITAIS, Bresica, Italy





When designing the ITAIS shop, studio MAS also took a traditional reading of ice cream, but emphasized the craftsmanship put into the making of gelato. Ice cream is stored and served in huge, traditional metal milk containers, suggesting that what you get is organic and was made by hands. The container’s design is reflected in the hexagonal shape of other furniture (like dispenser, basin) and the signage. The overall interior is kept simple and rustic, matching the artisan quality of the cream.

3. Veganista, Vienna, Austria





Viennese Veganista takes a step further on the organic path. They are selling 100% vegan high-end ice cream that is free from any artificial or prefabricated ingredients. Their first shop opened on the street which is turning out to be Vienna’s vegan lane. For the shop design, the owners wanted something that is healthy, honest, fresh, and fun, just like their products. The interior is bright and minimal, where, apart from the beautiful green-patterned cement floor, everything is kept white and basic, letting the ice cream take centre stage.

4. Remicone, Seoul, Korea





While for some ice cream is an organic business, for others it can be a scientific one. Already featured on the face, Korean Remicone takes gelato to a laboratory. Looking like a more traditional ice-cream van from the outside, the interior together with the mix-it-yourself-concept and the branded accessories invite customers to take part in a scientific experiment. The fun decoration and colours of the cream keep the experience playful and loosen up the sterile atmosphere.

5. Snow Picnic, Tokyo, Japan





Similar in approach but different in measure and aesthetic principles, Japanese Snow Picnic also offers an experimental ice-cream adventure. Their nitrogen-freezing method is a spectacle in itself that would take the show, so Torafu Architects designed a space in a more organic and mismatched spirit. The interior operating with wooden furniture, both old and new, tons of living plants, and animal drawings on the cool blue walls counterbalance the strictly sounding chemical process resulting in ice cream.