Surface Design Awards – Complete

• COMMERCIAL BUILDING - INTERIOR
  Commercial Buildings that are used for commercial purposes, and include retail, hospitality, workplaces, factories and warehouses and buildings where commercial services are provided. At least 50 percent of the buildings’ floor space will be used for commercial activities.

The project is based in an old house in the Palermo neighborhood. The space in ques-tion underwent a complete overhaul, with two new accesses leading to two separate spaces complementing each other depending on the restaurant's hours of operation.
Traditionally, patios in old Buenos Aires houses have been a space for congregation. Our first major design strategy was to create an access courtyard immediately adja-cent to the facade as both a symbol and shock effect. This allowed for a new facade with a language of its own while still preserving the old style of the main facade. From a functional perspective, the patio is integral to the takeaway model, while also explor-ing a post-covid exterior use.
The proposed language was the outcome of a thorough breakdown of defining ele-ments within the gastronomic proposal, one that celebrates the typical American pas-try shop. Hence the reference to the old way of "cooling the pie by the window" and its corollary proposal to use multiple windows in the facade of the entrance courtyard.
Another determining element has been the abstract representation of "cakes or pies" made by cardboard rings as a system of “skins” covering certain areas. Prominent ex-amples of this are the entrance arches and the back of the bar, both intended to draw the customers´ attention throughout the entire purchase process.
These "cakes or pies" also include two traditional symbols of pastry baking (the colan-der and the beaters) merged into a single piece.
The interior architecture language is a vernacular composition in the typical demol-ished industrial style. In fact, the word "demolished" itself denotes the idea of using elements simulating an "under construction" environment: wood from scaffolding, iron from construction sites, and metallic fabrics. These are all neutral materials compris-ing a universe of constructive layers. Surrounding them is a run-down, abandoned house where the dry vegetation has taken over.
The lighting has become a distinctive element built with wooden structure supports and surrounded by dried vegetation, representing how vegetation can take over an abandoned wooden scaffolding structure.
On the second floor, and through symbolic wooden windows and a large vegetation creeping up through them, is a private lounge where the high cocktail bar gains pres-ence. We emulated the idea of the tree house through the symbolic “Lagerstroemia tree” in the center of the courtyard, and the use of wood around it.

The design cleverly integrates old and new elements, preserving the historic style whi-le infusing a modern touch. The facade exemplifies this balance, using traditional ma-terials and construction methods while introducing contemporary design elements. The abstract representation of "cakes or pies" using cardboard rings as 'skins' showca-ses innovation in material usage, offering a playful nod to the gastronomic theme.
The use of neutral and raw materials like wood from scaffolding and iron from cons-truction sites for the interior architecture aligns with the concept of an "under cons-truction" environment. This choice not only adds an industrial and edgy aesthetic but also carries symbolic meaning, representing layers of construction and evolution, allu-ding to the culinary process in a pastry shop.
Additionally, the incorporation of dried vegetation and wooden structure supports in the lighting design adds a natural and organic element, reinforcing the theme of vege-tation taking over an abandoned structure. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also communicates a narrative of growth and transformation.
The symbolic use of wooden windows and vegetation on the second floor and in the private lounge creatively extends the narrative, invoking a sense of being in a treehou-se. The choice of wood in this context not only adds to the aesthetics but also comple-ments the symbolic representation, tying the entire design concept together.

The project showcases sustainability through a thoughtful approach to material usage and design strategies. The project's decision to repurpose an old house and preserve its historic facade displays a sustainable approach by reducing the need for new construc-tion and minimizing waste. Also, the use of materials like wood from scaffolding and iron from construction sites demonstrates a commitment to recycling and upcycling, giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste. The incorporation of dried vegetation and a Lagerstroemia tree emphasizes a connection with nature and promotes greenery within the urban space. Lastly, the symbolic representation of growth and transformation through the narrative of vegetation taking over abandoned structures aligns with sustainability ideals, symbolizing nature's resilience and adapta-bility.

The project revitalizes an old Buenos Aires house, blending traditional and modern elements. The design cleverly reimagines patios as an access courtyard, preserving the old charm. It pays homage to American pastry shops, reflected in window designs re-sembling cooling pies. Cardboard rings symbolize 'cakes or pies', adding intrigue to certain areas. Utilizing recycled wood and iron, the interior exudes an 'under construc-tion' aesthetic, coupled with abundant vegetation. Symbolic lighting and a private lounge with natural influences enhance the sustainability narrative, showcasing an innovative blend of sustainability, heritage preservation, and creative design.