a glittering silver box for a gastronomic space in madrid by hector fernandez elorza

‘chefslab’ is the result of spanish chef sergio perez’s idea of his ideal gastronomic space. he desired a place for organizing exclusive events and cooking workshops — this is the chefslab flagship space in madrid. the main challenge of hector fernandez elorza’s project resided in the low budget and the preexistence, whilst creating a unique experience. the overall design aim is to focus on minimal interventions in order to achieve maximum impact.

chefslab signage has been solved with a graffiti on the street main entrance
all images by montse zamorano

spanish based architect hector fernandez elorza has organized the space by dividing the area in one silver served open-plan room and a couple of black/darker servant zones — kitchen, laboratories, and storage. the glittering silver room is where all activities will take place. although, this main space can be divided according to the needs of each events it may host, using a series of movable panels. in order to compose this scheme, it was necessary to demolish some of the existing walls on site.

chefslab is a place for organizing exclusive events and cooking workshops in madrid

hector fernandez elorza opted for simple but striking materials criteria. keeping the low budget, the material palette resolves as many technical issues as possible. therefore, the entire project is arranged by three materials: steel, black paint and reflective insulation. their combination, black and silver, allows to clarify the zones and identify the space as a unique experience. while the echoing silver covers all the activities, the lively dynamism of cooking, the blackness is the zen and calm place for everything that remains quiet.

the glittering silver room is where all activities will take place

one of the given premises was the client’s wish for large storage spaces whilst keeping the main space clear and open. so, the storage was tested on the possibility of creating an equipped wall in the front elevation, where the windows are displaced. the storage frames the facade windows and the lowest band can also be used as an enjoyable sitting spot.

the lighting has been designed in a suitable and simple way for all the activities that will take place there

the customer journey has four main milestones. the first one is the tubular shelf on the east side of the room. this is the place where sergio’s cooking collections are displayed besides the ‘coat hanger’ for all of chefslab’s guests. on the opposite end of the room, the west side, there is the second milestone: the josper’s place. this front is arranged by an impressive extractor hood and a stainless-steel sheet which will host the charcoal oven josper and domain the room.

the entire project is arranged by three materials: steel, black paint and reflective insulation

both cooking or eating have the same trigger: washing our hands, which is the third milestone on the journey — the sinking pot. this sink is located on the black servant area. the last step on the journey is the room lighting, the fourth milestone. the lighting has been designed in a suitable and simple way for all the activities that will take place there. to sum up, hector fernandez elorza’s chefslab flagship space appeals as an exquisite taste of unique experiences.

both cooking or eating have the same trigger: washing our hands at the sinking pot

one of the given premises was the client’s wish for large storage spaces, whilst keeping the main space clear

at the west side, an extractor hood and a stainless-steel sheet which will host the charcoal oven josper

the storage frames the facade windows and the lowest band can also be used as an enjoyable sitting spot

the tubular shelf on the east side of the room is intended for book cooking collections and a ‘coat hanger’

the material palette resolves as many technical issues as possible

sketch of the three main spaces

project credits:

architect: violeta ordoñez manjón

architecture students: javier estebala, óscar cruz garcía, ismael medina manzano, ismael lópez portilla, maría risueño domínguez, clara gonzález martín

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom