Nomadas Restaurant

Nomadas is a small peasant cafe and restaurant that was designed on a pre-existing and abandoned lightweight building, located in a large lot right on the road that leads from Bogota to Villavicencio, in Chipaque, Colombia. Specifically in an area where there are multiple restaurants and gas stations that serve as “on the road” service areas, take place.

With the purpose of communicating the essence proposed for the project, during a period of renovation and expansion, the aesthetic and spatial attributes of the pre-existing building were completely transformed. The essence was based around countryside architecture and peasant houses. A type of architecture where noble materials and simplicity of the aesthetic are evident. Attributes that are reflected in the project, through the use of a small group of materials.

Artisan brick on the walls, black cement tile on the floors, cast on site concrete countertops, oxidized iron structures and general furniture in oak wood, were some of the materials used in the project that alongside the minimal interiors, let the concept be quite evident to the eyes of visitors.

Although the building area was over 140 sqm, Estudio Chávarro was only responsible for designing the commercial area of ​​the restaurant (90 sqm), including the dining-counter area and also the terrace area. Which was an extension to the pre-existing building, where a wood-fired oven embraced by a large metal and wood table was proposed. This area was enclosed by metal structure and glazing, which allowed the oven to be visible from the road and surrounding gardens.

In the outdoor area, the studio was able to design the whole garden and the entrances. In this zone, a terraced garden that followed the natural slope of the lot, was proposed. A garden that serves as a dining area extension, with loose gravel and artisan brick floors, intended to have a direct connection with the surrounding vegetation, with no visible architectural intervention.

The project turned out to be a clear example of the optimal use of pre-existing structures as part of new architectural proposals. Recycling about 80% of the previous construction, Estudio Chávarro achieved to transform the building aesthetic by 100%.