Receiving first place in the Interior Design category at the 2020 Tile of Spain Awards is the Atlantis Gastrobar, one of Barcelona’s best kept culinary secrets. With just 215 square feet of interior space, this micro-pub designed by Arantaxa Manrique Arquitectes packs a punch of striking beauty into a quaint package.

Located in the Sant Antoni district of Barcelona, Spain, Atlantis was conceived as a contemporary eatery that lends a nod to the rich flavor of the local fresh food shops. 

Tucked inside a large concrete building, the biggest challenge the design team faced was crafting a profound interior that called the attention of passersby to this hidden gem. This led to the decision to model the entire bar after traditional fish markets.

“The jury admired how ceramic materials were used as a star feature of the whole project,” said Kengo Kuma, Tile of Spain Awards jury president.  “By taking advantage of ceramic tiles for this small space, a setting with a refreshing, timeless appeal was achieved.”

Large custom-made windows offer a look inside where a semi-circular bar, clad in navy blue glazed half-round tiles, became the protagonist of this modest pub, while the rest of the space is tiled in white.

The bar’s wave-like shape gives balance between the workspace and recreational area inside the gastro-bar. Towards the rear, the back wall was angled to create able room for food prep, storage and restrooms, while the remaining free space is reserved for guests to savor delicious tapas and drinks.

Outside, the facade is divided into three sections. The first is for entering or exiting the bar, while the other two, comprised of glass windows, open up to connect the interior and exterior. With the windows ajar, the concrete veneer can be converted into additional seating is nearly doubling the capacity of this one-of-a-kind modern locale.

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