Zooco Estudio has delivered a striking project with the unique interior design of “Atypique” café, situated on the ground floor façade of the historic Siboney building in Santander, Spain. The building itself—an iconic example of 20th-century architecture with expressionist and Art Deco influences—served as a key source of inspiration for the studio’s design approach. Elements such as its cylindrical geometry, horizontal bands, circular windows, red brickwork, and grey plaster cladding shaped the foundation of the café’s interior concept.
In the café’s interior design, the building’s original architectural language is reflected in a contemporary way: curved shapes, circular elements, and prismatic volumes create a continuous space that organically organizes diverse functions, including an art workshop, coffee service areas, and service zones. This geometric interplay between form and function demonstrates the power of interior design to simultaneously address aesthetics and practical needs.
Custom furniture and lighting elements are also primarily made of stainless steel, a material that ensures high durability and easy maintenance in a public space.
The custom furniture and lighting elements are mainly crafted from stainless steel, a material that provides high durability and easy maintenance in a public setting.
Lighting plays a vital role in the café’s interior design. Custom-designed fixtures, such as the Atp 28 and Atp L400—drawn from Art Deco principles and rationalist design—are combined with modern technical solutions. This lighting not only highlights material textures, emphasizes curves, and guides circulation, but also enhances the functional aspects of the space. Additionally, the soft illumination strengthens visual connections between different areas of the interior.
The interior design approach of Atypique Café is influenced by Scandinavian design principles, emphasizing clarity of form, functionality, and an honest connection with natural materials. The concept of “Naturally Different,” also reflected in the café’s menu, continues throughout the interior layout, creating a space that interacts with the Siboney building’s architectural identity rather than merely imitating it. This intelligent combination of contemporary interior design and respect for architectural heritage offers visitors an experience that is both authentic and refreshingly new.