The cafe and bakery inside an early 20th-century structure in Madrid was completed by the Spanish studio Plantea Estudio, which contrasted the contemporary steel surfaces with the interior’s traditional dark tones.
The Acid café and bakeshop was created to offer a place for calm conversation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It took over a former gem store on a busy street in the Justicia district.
It is housed on the ground floor of a turn-of-the-century building that is full of interesting historical characteristics, like a deep wood and green marble storefront with curving windows on either side of the entry.
Moreover, By repairing the exterior, internal wood shelves, windows, and a decorative plaster frieze above the new service area, Plantea Estudio aimed to preserve the original character of the space.
Acid’s interior mood is defined by tasteful material selections and minimal architectural interventions that suit the space’s new purpose.
Carla Morán, an architectural designer at Plantea Estudio, told Dezeen, “We completed and adapted what was there and added the rest to match this same character – or to contrast as an opposition that enhances it.”
“Old and new, figurative and abstract, colour and shadow, rough and soft, matt and satin, all in the same space as different sides of the same coin.”
The store used to be split into two sections, with restrooms and storage located in the back section. While keeping this layout, Plantea Estudio tried to use the unused space in the back by turning it into a welcoming lounge for customers.
The wooden shelves in the front section of the room were restored to their former state by sanding and varnishing them. Any out-of-place embellishments were taken down and replaced with doors or shelves painted a rich crimson that complemented the wood tones.
The area feels larger thanks to a mirror that was installed to the ceiling over Acid’s entrance. This also amplifies the reflections from the curving windows.
The original terrazzo flooring of the building was discovered beneath several layers of flooring. Also, the walls and ceiling were painted with a warm-grey lime wash paint that adds to the cozy ambiance.
Furthermore, Sleek and contemporary, with a matte finish that creates blurred reflections, the stainless steel counter with a coffee machine and pastry display is a point of contrast.
The unit’s extended living room at the back is intended to serve as a haven for visitors seeking solace from the bustling neighborhood while enjoying a croissant and coffee in the semi-darkness.
“The interior space was quite dark, only connected to the exterior part by two openings in a structural wall,” Morán said.
“So we thought about a room in shadow and quietness, with the reflection of the soft light over a stainless steel shared table.”
The new plywood floor in the room creates a soothing sound as visitors move from the shop with its terrazzo floor to this more serene area.
To match the walls at either end of the room, the wood has been given a rich blue color. This also adds to the cozy, half-lit ambiance. Above the table, a row of open lightbulbs hangs, casting shimmering reflections and soft illumination.
After the Gota wine bar with its cavernous eating area, this is Plantea Studio’s third project for the owners of Acid cafe in Madrid.
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