Cafeteria Centro Botin

Santander, 2021

RESTAURANTS

Creative direction: Sandra Tarruella Interioristas
Responsible: Elsa Noms
Collaborators: Núria Martinez
Area: 470 m2
Customer: Grupo Riojano / Carlos Crespo Viadero
Photographer: Salva Lopez

Centro Botín Cafe renovation, led by restaurateur Carlos Crespo following his successes at La Bien Aparecida, La Primera, and Gran Café Santander in Madrid, represents an ambitious initiative to enhance the gastronomic and leisure experience in this iconic building designed by architect Renzo Piano.

The proposal aims to create a space that combines aesthetic appeal, comfort, and warmth. To achieve this, a significant change has been made to the interior, replacing the orange color of the floor with a more sandy cement, thus restoring the original sensation of the building floating over the sea.

The aesthetic is complemented by glossy ceramic cladding on the ceiling and façade, using round pieces that harmonize with the new tone of the floor. Carpets of various diameters, inspired by sailors’ ropes, add comfort and improve the acoustics of the space.

Warm and comfortable furniture has been introduced to counteract the coldness of elements such as ceramic, glass, and steel. The triangular layout of the space has been reorganized, centralizing access points to improve circulation. Low solid oak wood walls act as distribution axes and backrests for benches, allowing diners to enjoy views of the sea.

The cylindrical bar has been maintained as a premise, but has been intervened to cover the front with oak wood, providing warmth and differentiating the areas for waitstaff and customers. The operation has been reorganized, highlighting the display of quality products and moving machinery to one end of the bar to improve aesthetics.

The furniture is diversified with oak tables, wooden chairs, and white and gray marbles, combined with portable lamps that add a cozy touch. Round shapes, both inside and outside, dissolve the triangular distribution of the restaurant. Round rugs in the outdoor furniture dynamicize the space around the façade.

In the renovation of the Café at the Centro Botín, vegetation from the area has been integrated with planters inside and outside the premises, and the placement of a pomegranate tree at the entrance is highlighted to organize circulation and add color and freshness to the atmosphere. Overall, this project aims not only to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the space but also to create a unique experience that enriches the cultural and social offering of the Centro Botín in Santander.

Explore more restaurant projects designed by Sandra Tarruella Interioristas.