studio modijefsky draws from traditional spanish bars for la cervecería in amsterdam

studio modijefsky‘s la cervecería is a warm pincho & beer bar in the green neighborhood of amsterdam east, designed to bring the warm side of spain to the dutch capital. drawing from traditional ‘cervecerías’, the typical beer bars of spain where locals gather to enjoy small bites and drinks in an informal environment, the project employs a traditionally southern color palette and a lively juxtaposition of modern patterns and textures. its interior is characterized by a perfectly balanced combination of warm colored oak wood, inclined mirrors, wooden profiles with an old-fashioned feel, bronze railings and modern floor patterns, all of which contribute to friendly, welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. all images by maarten willemstein

studio modijefsky has divided the interior of la cervecería in three main areas, which allow customers to choose whether they want to spend the night sitting at the bar, gather at a high table, or intimately dine. as one enters the space, they face the dining area, which is a mix of low and high sitting, round and square tables, placed on a graphic tiled floor. on two sides, a high and a low bench, define the space with their warm looking yellow textiles and leathers. the design of each piece is a reference to the columns of the building, whose corners are smoothed by a 45-degree trim. yellow-shaded wooden chairs complement the colors of the dining area, while, next to them, custom-made tabletops animate the environment with a textile-like finish and wooden checkered patterns.

la cervecería’s front bar sits on a pedestal on the right of the dining area, comprising a combination of wood, aged brass, softly-toned yellow tiles, carrara marble, and a red powder coated steel plate – all of which recall elegant bar counters of old southern cafes. the back bar, where all the beers are displayed and served, stands there almost as an apse, a triptych made from wood and brown steel, whose three-dimensionality is dramatically emphasized by the lightboxes, the mirrors and the glazed dark green tiles.

in the last area, the mezzanine, oak frames on the background walls disrupt the visual paths by using mirrors in the principle of folding doors, reflecting the space in different directions and unifying it at the same time. here, a red leather and yellow-blue textile corner bench dominates the surrounding wooden environment with its intricate character. the tables are defined by the same checkered pattern found at the entrance, visually connecting the two spaces.

all areas are connected by three main elements: the railings, the flooring, and the graphics; while the floor changes at each level of the space. the first encounter is a black tiled surface, on the ground floor, which contains pairs of yellow tiles, with sparks of grey appearing in an apparently random order. this pattern naturally directs the eye through the space, bringing one’s attention to the steps, whose materials change as one goes up, from yellow tiles to carrara marble, ending up on the wooden chessboard floor contoured by an oak edge. the bar area is defined by the small and elegant yellow hexagonal tiles, which fold into a step on top of which the front bar stands.

a wooden staircase connects the three spaces, directing visitors upstairs, to the mezzanine, while a big vitrine stands at the sides of the steps, showcasing dozens of wines and spanish products. in the middle of the volume, the railing elements feature a classic connotation defined by the modern modijefsky touch, with vertically striped glass insertion in bronze powder coated steel frames. these are detailed by forty-five degrees corners and triangular shapes that break the rhythm of the vertical lines.

studio modijefsky was also responsible for the bar’s graphics, which bring a fresh and funny touch to the table. fine illustrations of a hairy chubby guy and parts of his body, lay around the space, stealing a laugh at first glance. funny details, phrases, iberic menu items and small descriptions, immerse guests to the world of ‘cervecerías’, giving them all the instruments to be teleported to the other side of europe.