INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

“Tapas bar” was designed by Reizi Maria, an architect living and working in Greece. The available space was rather small, only 35m2. For this, it was decided to dismantle the loft, revealing two large glass windows that bring natural light into the space and increasing significantly the total height of the space to 5,50m. The concept of the design and decoration was based on Spanish culture, though the style should be industrial.  

An element, that dominates space, is the series of four prominent Spanish figures’ portraits (Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Miguel de Cervantes, Federico Garcia Lorca) peeking a look to the dining area. 

Some of the most motivational quotes, of those four personalities, are printed on the table surfaces, combined with the shadows of other figures, real or imaginary, like the shadows of Don Quixote, flamenco dancer, matador and bull.   

The “fluid” floor surface creates a strong contrast with both the austere lines of the wooden cladding and with the industrial style brick cladding. Another decorative element is the wall painting behind the bar with reference to the old advertising posters.  

The lighting is distributed into three levels. To the higher level spotlights accent the details while to the middle level pendant light distribute the light evenly. To  the lower level decorative “bulls”, made with bike seats and handlebars, highlight the materials of wall surfaces.  

The construction with bike seats and handlebars is inspired by a well-known Picasso’s sculpture. 

The roof is covered with those materials used in the walls, creating a patchwork of different blocks, unifying vertical and horizontal surfaces and defining visually the upper limit of space. 

The facade was deliberately designed to give the impression of an industrial space, the aluminum windows were replaced with iron window systems, opening in such a way that unify functionally the inner and our spaces. 

Design / Construction:

Maria Reizi (Architect)

Alexandroupoli/ Greece