Old and new come together in this collaboration between Argentinian multidisciplinary practice Chamber, design and architecture studio It-Met, and Giusto Van Campenhout architecture firm. By respecting the previous decisions made within the space, a ‘Less is more’ approach was taken for the new restaurant dubbed Asadero. Located in the historic seaside neighbourhood of Olivos, Buenos Aires, the design champions a minimalist approach with a focus on materials.

“Rather than adopting a tabula rasa approach, which would erase the inherited urban and commercial real estate decisions colliding at the site, Asadero’s design was conceived as a series of formal, material and programmatic corrections to the existing conditions,” says Juan Garcia Mosqueda of Chamber Projects.

With this decision to build on the existing architecture rather than renovating it entirely, the architectural intervention is subtle and considered. Described by Mosqueda as ”an ensemble of architectural elements”, the series of minimum interventions layer materials and moments, allowing a dialogue between new materials and old forms to be formed.

Cavernous in nature, the interior volume is accentuated by its polished concrete floors, rounded concrete columns and painted white walls. The restaurant occupies a ground floor unit with a double-height ceiling and mezzanine floor.

The warmth of the design is found in its fabulous furniture selection. Softening the distinctly industrial edge, all the pieces were custom designed for the project. A varied material palette spans the tactile and diverse choices, including high, veined-marble bar tables in rounded shapes; cedar tables and chairs; and copper, aluminium and stainless steel industrial ripostes. Homegrown talent RIES contributed furniture too, as did the unmistakably experiential Objects of Common Interest.

This additive process, which incorporated layers of objects within the space, resulted in a new dining experience that takes cues from the city of Buenos Aires at large, celebrating its rich architectural tapestry one layer at a time.

[Images courtesy of Chamber. Photography by Javier Agustin Rojas.]