Alma María Restaurant
2010-2011

The sidewalk extends inside the restaurant, which is constituted by a series of plateaus, creating a rich spatial path that connects them. One of the main elements is the façade. The concrete portico is closed by 6 automatic doors in laser-cut solid wood. They play a major role as a boundary, being completely open and allowing total transparency when the restaurant is open, and working as the Spanish moucharabies when closed, giving a glimpse of the restaurant and creating curiosity among the pedestrians.

The 4 different plateaus that define the space have a level difference of 1.50m between each of them. Thus each space has a unique character though visually connected with the other parts of the restaurant.

On the street level the sidewalk extends inside the restaurant, continuous to this terrace the tapas bar welcomes the clients. A semi-underground plateau works as a more intimate space under the mezzanine, with a stronger presence of natural materials such as wood and stone. A specific kitchen to this area is located at the rear of the space. The 8m high cellar running to the ceiling accommodates 1000 bottles and accentuates a strong vertical connection to the spaces. A stone corridor leads to the toilets.

Over this basement and 1.50m above the street the mezzanine is directly integrated with the vertical openness of the restaurant. This central space is dominated by the shelves that run on the side of the restaurant, with their colorful range of products. One might watch the intense movement of the workers through the glass that reveals this second kitchen. Finally the uppermost level is 3m above the street, with a smaller salon and a bar. It’s the space where the clients can have both the sensation of the street and of the rear of the restaurant, seeing and being seen in all directions.

Alma María is a project that was above all conceived in section, trying to enrich the experience of pedestrians in a city largely dominated by cars, generating an apparent spatial complexity with simple means that play with strong horizontal and vertical elements.