A new patisserie in Paris is redefining how pastry shops present their creations through innovative design that combines Bauhaus principles with modern culinary artistry. ABRA, conceived by chef Tal Spiegel, features a vibrant interior designed by Ron From in collaboration with architect Nicolas Frances, creating a space where food and design merge into a unified experience.
The design team drew inspiration from Bauhaus and modernist movements, implementing a carefully curated material and color palette that emphasizes both warmth and graphic clarity. Ron From clad the surfaces in natural wood while incorporating strong accents in primary colors – blue, red, and yellow – creating a striking visual contrast throughout the space. The patterned tile flooring introduces elements of repetition and depth, while wall-mounted shelves display prints and geometric objects that reinforce the project's commitment to modularity and compositional balance.
Located on Rue des Mauvais Garçons in Paris, the patisserie is strategically organized into two distinct zones that frame the journey from kitchen to customer. The compact retail space occupies the street-front area, while the working kitchen operates behind a partition. A semicircular aperture serves as both window and frame between these spaces, allowing pastries to remain visible while the display surface beneath acts as a threshold between the making and consuming processes.
The design philosophy deliberately shifts away from conventional pastry shop displays, which typically feature windows filled with rows of ornate cakes. Instead, ABRA reduces focus to a series of singular objects, with each pastry positioned to be read almost as a prototype. This approach invites comparison with design processes rather than culinary excess, treating each creation as both food and art object.
The restricted color palette of primary blue, red, and yellow is layered against a white backdrop, complemented by warm wood cabinetry and metal details that reference Bauhaus and modernist aesthetics. Geometric repetition in the patterned tiles underfoot and framed graphics on the walls creates a rhythmic quality throughout the space, making it feel both warm and inviting while sparking visitor curiosity.
The overall experience balances multiple perspectives, with the glazed facade offering street views that root the project in its urban context, while the open laboratory window invites visitors to observe the behind-the-scenes pastry-making process. The space functions as more than just a place to enjoy pastries – it serves as an exploration of how these culinary creations are made and what they represent in the broader context of design and craftsmanship.
