Restaurante BRAC

BRAC Restaurant opened in the ground floor of the city centre historical building, in September 2008. Inside you can find archaeological ruins dated from the 1st and 17th century which coexist with the space’s contemporaneity. In 2011 the overall concept was renewed by adding a new type of service that contemplated light meals such as snacks. It was then created a new environment near the counter, maintaining an area with the pre-existing characteristics. The challenge was to obtain two distinct ambiances in the same area without a physycal barrier and without compromising both spaces while maintaining the same design and aesthetic. The remodelling Project would have to provide a new living in a consolidated space witouth losing the whole’s formal union. To divide the original space without corrupting the visual continuity and for the two environments to contact, it was inserted a grey translucid curtain that works well in delimiting the two areas while allowing us to see the silhouettes and capturing the movement on each side. The furniture, specially designed and executed for the space, present the same aesthetics of the pre-existing one although adequate to new environment: tall chairs and tables. The tabletops are made out of a black stone compound used also in the counter, individually marking each seating place. (The project was made with the collaboration of the architect Ricardo Maia.)