stone designs: el portillo cabin
el portillo by spanish design firm stone designs is a cabin located at javalambre ski station in teruel, spain. its construction is modeled after typical canadian wood cabins made of tree trunks with a pitched roof. the project consisted of converting the space, which to this point had been uncared for, into a cafe for that specific zone of the ski station.
graphic artist pepa prieto has inhabited the exterior walls with creature as if emerging from the snowthe project was offered to stone designs by spanish holding company aramón group. the initial ideas were to create and interior and exterior that would co-exist to complement each other. taking into account the presence of snow, and the fact that it would only operate in the winter, the first idea was that the cabin should form part of the landscape. during the winter, with snow on the mountain, everything becomes a contrast of black and white – snow covers everything and anything not covered appears dark. looking at this, stone design decided to paint the entire exterior of the cabin in black, so that it would contrast the snowy landscape. in addition they collaborated with graphic artist pepa prieto, who has given the outside of the cabin life, inhabiting the walls of the café with creatures painted in white as if they are emerging from the snowy ground.
exterior of el portillo
exterior of el portillo
graphic details
graphic details 
the contrasting interior
the design approach inside is completely different. it is painted white, in order to optimize the scarce light on cloudy days and creating a cozy space, an escape from the harshest days of winter. they wanted to use as few elements as possible so that in the end, the furniture becomes the means used to create the topography of the interior. red climbing rope has been used as an element of distortion, creating an area that is less static.
interior of el portillo
the interior view of eating area and bar
the bar is decorated with a black band referencing the cabin’s exterior and the menu is written directly on masking tape, which means they can change items when necessary.
detail of furniture with use of red climbing rope
detail of lighting
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Buen trabajo, me encanta!
bests of the bests!!!! so beautiful!!
I love it!!!! we need to see more projects like this. Thank you Stone Designs.
stupendo! in questo progetto convivono pulizia formale e la sensazione di calore e accoglienza tipica di un rifugio di montagna. Lo spazio é perfettamente scandito dall’uniforme e originale soluzione adottata da mobiliario e luci, seguito dalla corda rossa che unifica e da movimento all’ambiente….vorrei vedere piú progetti come questo
I’m impressed!great job Stone Designs!Terrific project i’ve ever seen!
Marco wrote in Italian:
Remarcable! This project joins simple shapes and the hospitality and confort found in the moutain shed. Throughout the space feature the furniture, lights and also the red rope, wich unifies and makes a flowing ambiance… I’d like to see more of such projects.
Genial! Really good job! Congratulations.
genial and remarcable! very good job
nice, simply, genial
Side by side complements like red’n green, make each other stand out, and in paint theory it’s a sophysticated use of renderings.
Contrasts of dark’n light like the façade shows is in paint theory a dramatic use of renderings.
The gradient surfaces, preferably with at least 4 grades, from lighter to darker, such as: white walls, light brown furniture, dark brown floor and black bar (as well as the black mirror effect of windows at night time) is in paint theory a harmonic use of renderings.
What a funky paint job! I love it, very well done Stone Designs
Imm, I’m from Canada, and I have actually lived for 3 years in a log cabin that we found abandoned by loggers from back in the day, and I’m saying that this is a design that has many many flaws. They write the menu on masking tape so it can be changed regularly? Purely capricious- think chalkboard. Also- what purpose do those ugly carpets serve, suspended in the air. It’s the interior that falls short- not appealing, no relation to a Canadian cabin in the woods- warmth, natural materials, peace- I see none of that.