We were in charge of renovating the facade of a BAR that had been operating for more than 10 years in downtown Sannomiya, Kobe. With the change of business format from the former Italian dining to BAR, the owner’s love for Latin Cuba was fully expressed, and the location in a back alley in the downtown area was utilized to create an atmosphere as if one had tripped overseas.

Inspired by Latin music and the streets of Cuba, the warm country’s blue is used as the main color. By harmonizing the use of special paint and multiple blue colors, we succeeded in blending it into the cityscape. Other materials, such as uneven plastering and wooden doors for texture, and multiple materials such as tiles and hand-painted signs, were combined to create a facade with a sense of presence that goes beyond a mere flat wall.

The design allows for effective communication even in a one-operator environment through the installation of take-out windows. While fully expressing the owner’s love of Latin, we attempted to create an original spatial design that brought a sense of unity and individuality to the interior and exterior of the restaurant.