masquespacio’s restaurant fuses taste with desert-hued arches in valencia

in valencia, spain, living bakkali by spanish studio masquespacio elevates the restaurant's dishes as the diners get to relax on the secluded, arch-framed lounge chairs.

eirini ilia January 10, 2022 3 min

living bakkali by masquespacio gives a taste of the orient

restaurant ‘living bakkali’ by studio masquespacio turns dining into a sensorial experience of vision and palate, right in the heart of valencia, spain. through the desert-like hues of pink and beige, a blend of middle eastern inspired aesthetic meets spanish cuisine. around the secluded arched-shaped seating arrangements and the playful combination of vernacular-shaped windows, one can not help but get a taste of the orient.

masquespacio's restaurant fuses taste with desert-hued arches in valencia - 1 — living bakkali by masquespacio turns dining into a sensorial experience of vision and palate

all images courtesy of masquespacio

photography by sebastian erras

ideal for a romantic dinner or a group gathering

founded in 2010, the award-winning spanish studio masquespacio created by ana milena hernández palacios and christophe penasse turns food into thought. the structured dishes of living bakkali are elevated through the interior architecture, which reveals the arabic references through and around the different hidden corners. separated in two levels, the secluded lounge seats invite the diners to relax and connect with each other, while the more intimate two-person seating area gives the opportunity to have a wider view on the restaurant.

masquespacio's restaurant fuses taste with desert-hued arches in valencia - 2 — the built-in benches create a more secluded ambience

living bakkali makes refer to traditional arabic architecture

once inside, a central hall connects the entrance with the kitchen leading through the space. while the first part of the space feels like walking through a street of ancient, traditional houses, the second leads into a curtain-draped corridor where the private dining room is set, along with the bathrooms. a romantic dinner or a group of friends can sit comfortably on the red-cushioned benches and chairs.

as the organic forms frame the seats like paintings, the floor and ceiling are manufactured in the same material throughout and executed completely by hand, making refer to architecture of the past. on the higher level, a more neutral, but slightly contrasting color palette reminds of the desert colors highlighted by the lighting that bathes the indoors.