The award-winning Spanish interior design studio Masquespacio, spearheaded by Ana Hernández and Christophe Penasse, has unveiled its latest project: the new Egeo souvlaki restaurant in Madrid. Marking the second collaboration for the Egeo brand, this space represents a significant aesthetic evolution from their previous, more vibrant design in Valencia, moving towards a style that is both mature and deeply reflective. The result is a compact 50-square-meter space that merges the profound drama of ancient architecture with a starkly modern sensibility, establishing a new paradigm for Greek fast-casual dining in the city.
The conceptual foundation of the new Egeo Madrid interior is drawn from the dramatic Greek myth of Pandora. The design studio references the moment when Pandora’s box was opened, releasing all the world’s evils, but with the vital element of hope remaining at the bottom. This narrative of resilience and the emergence of beauty from decay and experience informs every material and formal choice. Masquespacio has translated this powerful story into a sensory environment that evokes a profound sense of mystery and discovery for the diner.
The material palette for the project departs entirely from the expected blue-and-white Greek vernacular, embracing a soft, monochromatic series of enveloping beige tones. This choice of color imparts a sophisticated calm, intentionally contrasting with the brand’s original aesthetic and symbolizing the journey from darkness to light. The walls themselves become a sculptural element, incorporating subtle relief volumes and organic lines that deliberately mimic the appearance of deteriorated ruins, an architectural metaphor for the beauty that emerges through the passage of time.
At the heart of the 50-square-meter space is a singular, powerful design element: a broken, fragmented sculptural column. Conceived as the figurative “Pandora’s Box,” this central structure functions multi-purposefully as both a seating bench and a table. Its intentionally fissured body houses a discreet light source, a radiant, hidden line that acts as a physical manifestation of the hope that remained in the myth, offering a beacon of light in the serene, cavernous interior.
This central piece is realized using microcement and stands as a masterclass in fusing traditional form with 21st-century technology. The integration of the light line into the fissure of the ancient Greek column form is a subtle yet significant detail, highlighting the studio’s skill in creating a dialogue between the historical past and a futuristic present. It recontextualizes the classical pillar from a load-bearing structure into an object of pure contemporary design and contemplation.
Ultimately, this second chapter for Egeo in Madrid is not just a commercial space, but a deeply conceptual piece of architecture. Masquespacio has succeeded in crafting a world that goes beyond surface-level branding, using the tools of design and technology to convey a philosophical narrative. It is an experience that invites customers to find warmth and welcome, promoting a sense of calm and sophistication while they enjoy the Greek cuisine, all within a space that beautifully honors the concept of endurance and the timeless power of hope.