Porto-Portugal-based Architectural Firm, Atelier Sergio Rebelo recently reformed the once headquarters of the Bank of Portugal seated in Largo de São Domingos, Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former bank is now a stunning restaurant. Maintaining the already present rustic charm of the building, the additional renovation only distinguished the structure from the existing surroundings. The restaurant stands on the concept of providing maximum privacy for their customers while inviting them to a large open two-storeyed space.
The Design
This renovation aimed to maintain the rich culture prevalent in the city while adding a modern influence to it. The revamp began with the building facade lined with four large double-height windows that flush the interiors of the building with natural lighting. The project was worked on with a sustainable approach by maximising on the use of local materials, furniture, and equipment. A neon red ‘DOP’ sign adds to the excitement of the place. The mezzanine flooring of the bar was demolished to create a large double-heighted verticality. The two floors were reorganised to allow operational efficiency for customers. Each area was designed with different materials segregating the spaces based on their aesthetics.
The Interiors
With lipstick-red seating and terrazzo flooring DOP opens into a grand bar, a DJ lined with wooden counters and stone accents. Next to this bar, is a dining room that plays with a warm, monochromatic colour palette and caramel coloured leather furnishings. The dichotomy of each space is distinctively visible. Connected to an open kitchen the space becomes even more dynamic. The kitchen by itself has been very practically designed to streamline workflow and display the culinary mastery going on in there. The overall aesthetic of the place can be considered as welcoming, pragmatic, and contemporary.
Key Features
Adding a flair of innovation, DOP features a discrete wine cellar, providing something special for their wine enthusiast. The wine bottles are sophisticatedly set along the bar for a simple tasting, allowing the customer to savour each sip of their drinks while they compliment the elegant ambiance of the restaurant.
Beyond that, the innovation is truly visible in the restroom design of the project. The implementation of dazzle camouflage techniques to create a kinetic black-and-white entrance design for the restroom only makes the place more novel. The renovation was undertaken keeping in mind the key audience and making it social media responsive. The multi-dimensional washroom then leads to a marble staircase and full-length mirrors causing a kaleidoscopic effect.
With its curved balconies, reminiscent of Portuguese monastery pulpits, vertical lamps, and artworks Atelier Sergio Rebelo has accomplished to achieve a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. They took the minimalist, neutral setup of a bank and reimagined it as a lively, gastropub that stands out in the city’s social and cultural hub. With the idyllic backdrop of Porto, Rebelo created DOP as the culinary locale carrying with it the stories of its cultural heritage.
REFERENCES:
- Tsimpou, T. (2024) Atelier Sérgio Rebelo converts Historic Bank building into multi-space restaurant in Porto, designboom. Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/atelier-sergio-rebelo-historic-bank-building-multi-space-restaurant-porto-09-07-2024/ (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
- Www.atelier (no date) sr.com. Available at: https://www.atelier-sr.com/dop (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
- Rebelo, A.S. (2024) Dop, improving the restaurant experience honoring the heritage of the building: The plan, Atelier Sergio Rebelo. Available at: https://www.theplan.it/eng/award-2024-hospitality/dop-improving-the-restaurant-experience-honoring-the-heritage-of-the-building-atelier-sergio-rebelo (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
- Greenblatt, J. (2024) A restaurant in Porto opens up to multiple dining experiences, Azure Magazine. Available at: https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/dop-restaurant-porto-atelier-sergio-rebelo/ (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
Atelier Sérgio Rebelo converts a historic bank building into a multi-space restaurant in Porto.
