EL BARETO is conceived as a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Madrid “cervecería y bocatería”. The design builds on familiar codes of the classic neighborhood bar—warm wood, tiled counters, handwritten menus—and abstracts them into a clean, luminous environment suitable for a high-traffic commercial hub. The aim is to transmit informality and immediacy while maintaining an orderly and clearly legible spatial system.
The project emphasizes openness and visual continuity with the surrounding mall, using a wide, recessed façade that dissolves the threshold between corridor and bar. Signage, lighting and materials act as urban elements within the interior landscape, guiding the visitor naturally towards the bar, the dining area and the takeaway counter.
The plan is structured around a central serving spine that aligns the main bar, food display and payment points. This linear core guarantees clear wayfinding: the customer approaches frontally, orders, and then moves laterally towards the seating area or exits back to the mall. The position of the counter optimizes visibility of product and staff, reinforcing the idea of transparency and speed of service.
Seating is organized in flexible islands of tables and chairs, with perimeter benches that maximize capacity during peak hours. The furniture arrangement maintains generous circulation bands, allowing independent flows for diners, passersby and staff. Open corners and low-height planters define micro-ambiences without obstructing views, ensuring a sense of security and visual connection to the exterior.
The material palette combines natural-looking oak laminates, white lacquered surfaces and exposed brick, creating a warm and accessible atmosphere. The lower part of the façade and structural claddings use vertical timber paneling to evoke traditional carpentry while providing durability and easy maintenance in a demanding context. Counter fronts alternate ceramic tiling and stainless-steel planes, referencing classic bar counters in Madrid.
The chromatic base is neutral—whites, light woods and black accents—upon which corporate blue signage is superimposed. This contrast ensures strong brand legibility from a distance and under artificial lighting. Dark flooring defines the interior footprint against the terrazzo of the mall, subtly framing the restaurant as a “room within a corridor”.
Artificial lighting plays a key role in the character of EL BARETO. A grid of exposed bulbs in warm color temperature creates a festive ceiling reminiscent of street fairs and classic cafés, while also ensuring uniform illumination over tables. Track-mounted spotlights highlight the bar, food displays and blackboard menus, drawing attention to activity and fresh product.
Indirect LED strips incorporated in planter boxes, counters and perimeter walls emphasize horizontality and help orient circulation. The overall result is a bright, inviting space that maintains visual comfort, avoiding glare thanks to the diffusion of multiple low-intensity sources instead of a few powerful fixtures.
Graphic design is fully integrated into the architecture. Large typographic signs, wall messages and photographic murals animate the perimeter walls and emphasize the local, castizo identity of the concept. The use of simple sans-serif lettering and a limited color code guarantees coherence between façade, menus and internal signage.
Blackboards behind the bar allow for constant updating of offers and reinforce the artisanal, made-on-the-spot perception. Display shelves above the counter house bottles and branded elements, functioning simultaneously as storage, decoration and a visual filter that lowers the perceived height of the space.
The design strategy prioritizes durability and low maintenance as the main drivers of sustainability in a high-rotation commercial environment. Materials are chosen for their resistance to impact and ease of replacement, reducing the need for frequent renovations and associated waste. Laminated wood panels, ceramic tiles and compact surfaces guarantee long service life while preserving the aesthetic of warmth and craftsmanship.
Lighting design relies entirely on LED technology, significantly reducing energy consumption and heat gain. The regular ceiling grid and modular furniture enable future reconfigurations without major construction work, extending the life cycle of the project. In addition, the open layout facilitates natural cross-ventilation from the mall concourses, minimizing the need for localized air extraction and improving overall comfort for users and staff.
EL BARETO is conceived as a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Madrid “cervecería y bocatería”. The design builds on familiar codes of the classic neighborhood bar—warm wood, tiled counters, handwritten menus—and abstracts them into a clean, luminous environment suitable for a high-traffic commercial hub. The aim is to transmit informality and immediacy while maintaining an orderly and clearly legible spatial system.
The project emphasizes openness and visual continuity with the surrounding mall, using a wide, recessed façade that dissolves the threshold between corridor and bar. Signage, lighting and materials act as urban elements within the interior landscape, guiding the visitor naturally towards the bar, the dining area and the takeaway counter.
The plan is structured around a central serving spine that aligns the main bar, food display and payment points. This linear core guarantees clear wayfinding: the customer approaches frontally, orders, and then moves laterally towards the seating area or exits back to the mall. The position of the counter optimizes visibility of product and staff, reinforcing the idea of transparency and speed of service.
Seating is organized in flexible islands of tables and chairs, with perimeter benches that maximize capacity during peak hours. The furniture arrangement maintains generous circulation bands, allowing independent flows for diners, passersby and staff. Open corners and low-height planters define micro-ambiences without obstructing views, ensuring a sense of security and visual connection to the exterior.
The material palette combines natural-looking oak laminates, white lacquered surfaces and exposed brick, creating a warm and accessible atmosphere. The lower part of the façade and structural claddings use vertical timber paneling to evoke traditional carpentry while providing durability and easy maintenance in a demanding context. Counter fronts alternate ceramic tiling and stainless-steel planes, referencing classic bar counters in Madrid.
The chromatic base is neutral—whites, light woods and black accents—upon which corporate blue signage is superimposed. This contrast ensures strong brand legibility from a distance and under artificial lighting. Dark flooring defines the interior footprint against the terrazzo of the mall, subtly framing the restaurant as a “room within a corridor”.
Artificial lighting plays a key role in the character of EL BARETO. A grid of exposed bulbs in warm color temperature creates a festive ceiling reminiscent of street fairs and classic cafés, while also ensuring uniform illumination over tables. Track-mounted spotlights highlight the bar, food displays and blackboard menus, drawing attention to activity and fresh product.
Indirect LED strips incorporated in planter boxes, counters and perimeter walls emphasize horizontality and help orient circulation. The overall result is a bright, inviting space that maintains visual comfort, avoiding glare thanks to the diffusion of multiple low-intensity sources instead of a few powerful fixtures.
Graphic design is fully integrated into the architecture. Large typographic signs, wall messages and photographic murals animate the perimeter walls and emphasize the local, castizo identity of the concept. The use of simple sans-serif lettering and a limited color code guarantees coherence between façade, menus and internal signage.
Blackboards behind the bar allow for constant updating of offers and reinforce the artisanal, made-on-the-spot perception. Display shelves above the counter house bottles and branded elements, functioning simultaneously as storage, decoration and a visual filter that lowers the perceived height of the space.
The design strategy prioritizes durability and low maintenance as the main drivers of sustainability in a high-rotation commercial environment. Materials are chosen for their resistance to impact and ease of replacement, reducing the need for frequent renovations and associated waste. Laminated wood panels, ceramic tiles and compact surfaces guarantee long service life while preserving the aesthetic of warmth and craftsmanship.
Lighting design relies entirely on LED technology, significantly reducing energy consumption and heat gain. The regular ceiling grid and modular furniture enable future reconfigurations without major construction work, extending the life cycle of the project. In addition, the open layout facilitates natural cross-ventilation from the mall concourses, minimizing the need for localized air extraction and improving overall comfort for users and staff.
Our offices are located in Barcelona, Cancún, Chicago and Santo Domingo, but thanks to technology we can do projects on all over the world.
Barcelona
Bac de Roda 136
08020, Barcelona
Spain
Madrid
Av. de Buendía 11
19005 Guadalajara (Madrid)
Spain
Chicago
373 Hazel Ave, Apt A1
60022, Glencoe, Illinois
United States