Public Spaces- Pizzeria in Portugal

Architecture isn't just a job, it's a way of life. It is, for some, a journey that lets them live their dream every day. It lets people do something about their passion and incorporate what they feel and see in their minds, and let it someday become reality. Architecture is quite a complex profession, filled with measurements and weird calculations. But it is also a profession that lets you think out of the box, create something different, special. Although it at times might seem quite simple, don't be mistaken, it is not but it is certainly a dream worth fighting for. I myself, as only a kid in school can tell you that my dream is to someday create a project of my own and satisfy the needs of future clients. Designing a house is such a personal opportunity. You basically are adopted into your client's personal life, his family, friends, likes... A home is such a personal place where you feel comfortable, not only in it but with it. It is an ongoing project, a vision that should not only focus on the present but also the future.
My first post is not quite as personal as a home. It is an old house in Portugal, which was restored by Oitoemponto (european designers) and made a restaurant. I wouldn't call it an impersonal project since this pizzeria is certainly personalised to fit it's owners requisitions, but it also sets a certain mood which attracts customers to it. This architectural project consists on almost a vintage look, but they have managed to keep a clean aspect to it. It is not under decorated, and certainly not over decorated, but it someplace in between. Below is an image of the main dining area in this restaurant.

As you can clearly see they have not only decorated the interior, but the exterior as well. This small space used to be an old derelict home which was sold and incorporated into a very popular restaurant. The exterior design of the restaurant consists mainly on neutral colours which add to that clean image I was talking about earlier. The door of the restaurant, as well as the bottle ice holders are red, which really stand out and create this modern yet vintage look to it.

Clearly, this is not everyone's taste in architecture, but throughout this blog I will be incorporating different styles of european design and architecture so it creates a mixture of styles and likes. Although this is not a very usual first post, I decided to go with it because it is different and not ordinary. It's just a way of thinking I suppose, that normal isn't extraordinary hence extraordinary is what gives something personality and a different feel. I have left some images below of the rest of this project so I hope you enjoy it.

These images were found at http://www.oitoemponto.com/?p=7&pf=2&gal=201

Portarossa

Porto,Portugal

Design by Oitoemponto