Porto Cenario Bar

View of the low height cocoons in the lounge space.

Project Details

• Project Name: Porto Cenario Bar
• Client: Agostinho Veloso de Brito
• Project Type: Interior design
• Principal Designers: Francisco Guedes de Carvalho, Jorge Pinto Vieira, Jose Carlos Nunes de Oliveira, Paulo Costa
• Design Team: Rui Cardoso
• Contractors: Manuel Sousa Vieira, Luz e Som
• Year of commencement of project: 2005
• Year of completion of project: 2006
• Location of site: Massarelos, Porto
• Site Area: 90.21m²
• Built-up Area: 302.20m²
• Cost of Execution: 40,000 €

View of the lounge space from the cocoon.

The Project

The project involved the adaptive re-use of a small restaurant, 50 square metres in area, into a Lounge Bar along the Porto riverside front. The architects attempted to peel off the old skin of the existing space in order to induce a new visual and functional life into its decaying body. This was done within the constraints of time and money as imposed by the client.

View of the bar space.

Existing surfaces and fabrics were removed to introduce a new foil within the existing structure. Through this operation of unfolding the customer areas were segregated from the services and supporting spaces such as the sanitary, the kitchen and DJ cabin. The existing kitchen was divided to provide for the latter of these areas.

Soft lighting accentuates the ambiance of the lounge bar.

The 'fleshy' spaces are moulded in vivacious orange, contrasting with the white/beige painted main room. A low ceiling cocoon lined with orange leather cushions allows an increase in the capacity of the restaurant.

Interior view of the washroom.

The lighting as well the furniture was carefully chosen out of vintage stores creating an atmosphere that is cosy and sophisticated at the same time.

View of the corridor providing access to the washrooms.

The relation with the exteriors was accentuated by emphasising the presence of the existing windows as voids in the walls, thus inviting for contemplation.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs by Armenio Teixeira, Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Varun Ajani