Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura

Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, BeamRestaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior PhotographyRestaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior PhotographyRestaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography, Door, Brick, Facade, ArchRestaurant Cheriff / Mesura - More Images+ 11

  • Architects: Mesura
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  175
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Mesura
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, BD DESIGN, Bolibar Bronces, Estucado de pintura y estuco, Flos, Hans Verstuyft, ICONICO, Terraconti, Trimble
More SpecsLess Specs
Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Beam

Text description provided by the architects. Looking beyond the touristic craze, there is a local life present in the Barceloneta neighbourhood. The air smells like the sea, and early in the morning fishermen stock some of the restaurants that still speak to the memory of the local community. These places have become symbols in the city, offering an authentic experience of the Mediterranean gastronomic culture and cuisine. When asked to redesign these kind of mythical spaces, how should we intervene as designers? How do we create a sense of timelessness, in between tradition and contemporaneity? Designing a timeless space means looking for simplicity.

Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography
Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Image 12 of 16
Floor plan
Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography

The Cheriff restaurant comes from a long tradition of local family businesses. It has turned into a culinary classic, known for its history and quality, with fresh fish coming in directly from the neighbouring docks. Cheriff is part of Barceloneta’s memory. A classic in the neighbourhood, it needed an atemporal design that preserved the authenticity time bestowed onto the restaurant. As part of a strategy seeking timelessness, the distribution into compact areas (typical of the fish shop), was kept in tact in order to speak to the local community. As designer Massimo Vignelli described it, timelessness is created when things are easily understood. He spoke of “intellectual elegance”, as simplicity is by no means “simple”, but rather the result of a long process of experimentation, revaluation and refining. Artisanry as a tool for authenticity: the unknown artisan. Including artisanry into design means making it human. Artisanry adds subtlety, strength, and value. It’s closely connected to identity and authenticity, as its origins are traceable to collective creativity. Like the Japanese said, there is no ego in artisanry. “The arts of the people” evokes notions of uniqueness, honesty and attention to detail. Being authentic is about being sincere and responsible. Craftsmanship draws on knowledge, skill and history, hence its connection to quality.

Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography, Table, Chair
© Mesura

Artisanry is present in the reinvention of Cheriff’s terrazo, a technique to flooring passed through generations of forming artisan maestros. It’s a composite material consisting of chips of marble, quartz, granite and glass, and is poured in place with a cementitious binder, polymeric, or a combination of both, allowing for multiple colors, complex designs, and whimsical patterns to be constructed. Combined with the soft textile elements in white (curtains and tablecloths), an intimate atmosphere comes into being. Recycling original materials and the introduction of naval blue. The new Cheriff is an interpretation of the original restaurant. The initial wood and brass materials are recycled into reddish wooden panels and carpentry, and call out the maritime universe. The design introduces thereon an additional dark blue, ephemeral and changing like the sea, in various materials and textures, while serving as a unifying element. Formally, the curves and preserved arches, would divide the different areas in the restaurant. An ode to the life of the local fishermen from the past, and those still bringing in the fish today.

Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura - Interior Photography, Door, Brick, Facade, Arch

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Carrer de Ginebra, 15, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Restaurant Cheriff / Mesura" [Restaurante Cheriff / Mesura] 06 Feb 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/932127/restaurant-cheriff-mesura> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.