Moroccan restaurant

The study Carlos Martínez Interiors Design a bistro in Casablanca where the Mediterranean spirit and New York style subtly blend, meeting in a space that is equally industrial and elegant.

The BrassaRia project arises from the desire of the owners of an empty industrial space in Casablanca (Morocco) to import the Catalan gastronomic custom of tapas and small plates, aiming to be pioneers of this cuisine in the area.

The Carlos Martínez Interiors studio was faced with a completely empty space, formerly a nightclub, with a bare structure and walls. The architecture of the space itself inspired the conceptual design for their project, staying true to the idea of wanting to evoke a Mediterranean atmosphere complemented by touches of a French bistro.

The composition of the space into two geometrically distinct areas creates a clear constraint when distributing and prioritizing proposed uses. The restaurant was divided into two interconnected zones, yet sharply differentiated by the atmosphere created for each of their specific uses.

“For this, lighting design as a priority element is decisive so that the space can generate the desired atmosphere and communicate emotions, or be a poorly lit space as unfortunately there are so many in the restaurant sector.“Javier Martínez Ochoa, an interior designer at Carlos Martínez Interiors, explains.

When designing the lighting for BrassaRia, the studio took into account treating light with the utmost respect, care, and attention. Their philosophy when starting a project of this kind is that only those areas or objects that require illumination should be lit, either because they have added value or because they need to be displayed and identified by the public. As a result, we must aim to enhance the architectural or design value of what is being illuminated. All luminaires at BrassaRia were designed by the Carlos Martínez Interiors team and handcrafted by Vaporetto Lighting.

“Each project requires specific lighting, a different world. There are spaces that, due to their characteristics or design, cannot be as attractive. That's why we understand that a good knowledge of light treatment and treating it as an essential element of the project can transform the total perception of a place, generating new, previously unimagined atmospheres.”

Designer and custom furniture

To select cozy and sophisticated furniture, the studio chooses Cubiñá. These design furniture experts choose elegant and functional models from the best brands, as well as their own production. Thus, table bases from the firm Pedrali are combined with tabletops and stools of their own manufacture. The pendant lights have a triple function: to illuminate, decorate, and also to zone spaces, whether they are white and gold glass globes or simple black lamps.

As leading experts in the manufacture and development of any type of exclusive, custom-made furniture, the Cubiñá Contract division has custom-produced enormous benches, the main feature of the establishment. Upholstered in red or blue, they invite you to sit down and enjoy one of the delicious dishes on the Brassa Ría restaurant's menu.

The restaurant's bathrooms

Without a doubt, in any restaurant that has had an interior design project, the bathrooms become a strategic place that should break and surprise with the style applied in the rest of the space.

Carlos Martínez Ochoa assures that “When we designed the bathrooms, we created a concept with very underground references. Inspired by the Barcelona metro, with its grilles, and the use of fluorescent lights to give it more of a street character.” .

For them, integrated sinks from Bathco were chosen. The Torino and Sardinia models are placed under wooden and marble countertops, respectively.

Photographs: Eugeni Pons

Source: Lightecture and Cubiña
Photos: Eugeni Pons