ARAIA. The revival of an island through the design of a restaurant.

The traces a lost culture left are the source of inspiration in this work of restaurant design in Madrid, which today we include in our section of projects.

A beautiful story that invites us to travel along the Mediterranean and delve into its hidden treasures.

Flavours, sounds, images and textures… ARAIA restaurant fills again the heart of those who know the story of this disappeared island and those who discover it from the first time.

A journey in which some pieces from Francisco Segarra’s catalogue contribute in the creation of a hedonist and cosy atmosphere.

An interior design that is braided with the soul of the island.

Araia was an island that stood in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and sat at the union point between East and West. A big earthquake made it disappear from the map and then form the memory…

The hedonist spirit of its inhabitants and their own vision of the world enriched the culture of this community until the fact that today it is the strength with which this restaurant design is based.

Behind this story we find Carlos López and Pedro Aijón, responsible of making real this beautiful journey. They define this place as “an island in Chamberí”, because ARAIA is a meeting point for those who need to escape from the stress of the city.

Its menu recreates the map of this mysterious island: crop, bay, pasture and seasons. Its decoration gives form to a space out of common, where the interior design is braided with the soul of the island.

Colours, materials, furniture… A beautiful bond with its culture.

ARAIA is an oasis in the heart of Madrid. Its space is cosy and its decoration is stunning.

The walls are made with cement blocks and stone, and they are enhanced thanks to the contrast with the dark colour floor. This right choice achieves a greater sensation of deepness and makes us delve into a beautiful cave of this hidden island.

Original metal high tables simulate the island relief and are accompanied by high stools upholstered in grey, a colour that evokes the morning fog on the sea, but also some type of serenity and sophistication.

The same irregular shapes are present in the small shelves that serve as counters. Small cliffs where we can have a snack, sitting in wooden stools of simple design and modest aesthetic.

Beautiful wall lamps, with candles, preserve the warmth of small light glimmers that enter in the cave.

The lighting has a decorative support with the industrial style ceiling lamps in the tiles corridor that takes us to the toilet area.

In the whole restaurant the neutral tones achieve the recreation of a perfect place to disconnect from the outside and open a new bond with this beautiful story.

Dry flowers, clay, wood, esparto… There is no lack of details in this restaurant interior design, where the indirect lighting and the use of cloths in some parts of the ceiling, make it much cosier.

The decoration in restaurants must reflect all what we want to convey. A story, sensations and an environment… ARAIA captivates us with all what it has and with all what it symbolizes. Let’s travel to this beautiful island and follow the traces of that culture through its wonderful design.

Restaurant project: ARAIA.
Restaurant design: 83Arquitectos
Restaurante furniture: Pieces from the catalogue by Francisco Segarra. Samay and Sandaka stools. Joel lamp.