A new artisan workshop and specialty coffee shop called Atypique has opened in Santander, Spain, featuring interior design that beautifully reflects the architectural character of its historic host building. Created by Zooco Estudio, the café occupies the ground floor of the Siboney building, a notable example of 20th-century expressionist and Art Deco architecture that stands prominently along the Puerto Chico waterfront.
The Siboney building itself serves as a striking architectural landmark in Santander, distinguished by its expressionist and Art Deco design vocabulary that contrasts sharply with the surrounding historicist buildings in the area. The structure is characterized by distinctive cylindrical geometries, horizontal bands, porthole windows, red brick construction, and grey plasterwork that define its unique visual identity. These architectural elements became the primary inspiration and reference point for the interior design project.
Zooco Estudio's design approach centers on reinterpreting the building's original architectural language through contemporary interior elements. The design team incorporated curved forms, circular components, and fragmented volumetry to structure the interior space, creating a continuous layout that effectively supports the diverse programmatic requirements of the workshop area, coffee service zone, and various support spaces. The geometric elements serve a dual purpose, functioning both as compelling visual design strategies and as practical organizational tools for the space.
Material selection plays a crucial role in connecting the project to its local Cantabrian context. The central counter represents a standout feature, constructed entirely from local Cantabrian stone, specifically split limestone sourced from Val de San Vicente. This monolithic stone volume serves as an anchor point for the entire interior design, creating a strong connection to regional materials and craftsmanship traditions.
Custom-designed furniture and lighting elements contribute significantly to the overall spatial character of Atypique. Stainless steel emerges as the primary material choice for these bespoke pieces, selected specifically for its exceptional durability and ease of maintenance in a commercial food service environment. The custom lighting fixtures, including the Atp28 and Atp L400 luminaires, incorporate clear references to Art Deco and rationalist design principles while integrating modern technical solutions and energy-efficient components.
Lighting design serves multiple functions throughout the space, playing a key role in articulating different zones, highlighting the textures of various materials, emphasizing the curved architectural elements, and guiding customer circulation patterns. The illumination strategy creates visual depth and enhances the overall aesthetic experience while maintaining practical functionality for both workshop activities and coffee service operations.
The design philosophy reflects strong influences from Nordic design principles, emphasizing formal clarity, functional efficiency, and maintaining a direct, honest relationship with natural materials. The venue's gastronomic concept, described as "Naturally Different," extends into the spatial configuration, resulting in an interior environment that meaningfully engages with the architectural identity of the historic Siboney building while successfully adapting these elements for contemporary commercial use.
Atypique positions itself as a thoroughly contemporary interior space that maintains meaningful continuity with its architectural context through thoughtful reinterpretation rather than simple replication. The project demonstrates how modern commercial spaces can honor and celebrate historic architecture while meeting current functional requirements and aesthetic expectations, creating a unique destination that serves both the local community and visitors to Santander's waterfront district.
