The intersection of heritage and contemporary ritual finds a new anchor in Santander, where the ground floor of the iconic Siboney building has been transformed into Atypique. This isn’t merely a specialty coffee shop; it is a dialogue between eras. Designed by the Madrid and Santander-based ZOOCO Estudio, the space occupies a structural landmark of the 20th-century urban façade of Puerto Chico. While the surrounding architecture often clings to historicist traditions, the Siboney building stands apart with its bold Expressionist and Art Déco language—a rebellious spirit that the designers have meticulously channeled into the interior.
A spatial translation of architectural identity defines the project’s conceptual core. Rather than treating the interior as a blank canvas, the studio treated it as an extension of the building’s external DNA. The hallmark cylindrical volumes, horizontal banding, and porthole windows of the original structure are mirrored through a contemporary lens. The result is a fluid, enveloping atmosphere where the geometry does not just serve as a decorative backdrop but acts as a rationalist guide, neatly partitioning the artisan workshop, the coffee bar, and the service areas with surgical precision.
The sensory experience is anchored by materiality that feels both raw and refined. Upon entering, the visitor is greeted by a monolithic counter—a brutalist volume crafted from Cantabrian stone. Specifically, the use of split limestone from Val de San Vicente grounds the project in the rugged geography of Northern Spain. It is a tactile centerpiece that demands interaction; the cool, jagged surface of the stone contrasts sharply with the smooth, polished finishes elsewhere, reminding patrons of the geological identity that lies just beneath the city’s pavement.
Technical precision meets functionalist aesthetics in the choice of stainless steel for the custom furniture and fixtures. Selected for its resilience and clinical cleanliness, the metal provides a sharp, industrial edge to the warm artisan environment. This is perhaps most evident in the Atp28 and Atp L400 luminaires, bespoke pieces that bridge the gap between Art Déco elegance and modern technical lighting. Light here is treated as a narrative device; it doesn’t just illuminate, but carves out the curved forms of the walls and accentuates the deep textures of the brickwork, guiding the visitor’s eye through the spatial sequence.
A philosophy of “Naturally Different” permeates the atmosphere, drawing a clear line to Nordic design principles. There is a pursuit of formal purity and a connection to the natural world that aligns with the venue’s gastronomic focus on functional drinks and specialty coffee. The environment is sober and elegant, yet it avoids the coldness often associated with minimalism. By focusing on the human scale and the intimacy of the craft, the designers have created a sanctuary that feels welcoming, encouraging a slower pace of consumption that matches the meticulous nature of the workshop.
The contextual impact of Atypique lies in its refusal to blend in. Much like the Siboney building challenged the status quo of Cantabrian architecture decades ago, this new intervention asserts its own personality. It engages in a respectful but firm dialogue with its surroundings, acting as a contemporary reference point for the city. By reinterpreting local materials through a radical, atypical geometry, the project proves that honoring history doesn’t require mimicking it—it requires understanding the spirit that made it landmark in the first place.