azafrán

San José, Costa Rica | 2017
Construction: Totem Constructora
Photography: Andrés García Lachner
In collaboration with: Parq Arquitectura

Through a red wooden door, which mixes with a fresh and innovative atmosphere, appears a brand that transcends 25 years of experience, this is how Azafran receives its visitors, at first avenue, San José, Costa Rica.

Taking an abandoned building, lacking maintenance, without structural reinforcements in its façade and quite outworn, the proposal for this cafeteria was an important challenge for its designers. This is how Parq Architecture and Design Lab by Esteban Salazar showed interest in changing it and turning it into a place for the “disconnection from the city”.

The company did not understand the impact that this was going to generate, both for the beautification of the city and for the success of the cafeteria. They dared to create an innovative space in the heart of the capital with an avant-garde style, good lighting and a serene atmosphere. The main mural wall was made by Costa Rican artist Luciano Goizueta, who highlighted several elements that are in the saffron’s trajectory and history on its arrival to Costa Rica.

As well, various decorative objects on the main counter shelves take the visitor to a childhood voyage, such as Star Wars Stormtroopers, Transformers and a Tyrannosaurus Rex – icons from a past daring to open a door for imagination and creativity.

The luminaires have a simple shape that becomes playful at the same time, some in the form of plant pots and others with wire mixers, designed and produced especially for Azafran. The existing chairs were refurbished, their backrests were redesigned by integrating a metal panel with hexagon shapes done through plasma cut.

The wall to the right of the room shows an installation of containers for pastries and pans, which reproduce a white on white interesting 3D effect.

A new opportunity for San José – spaces where the senses are raised and the imagination flows. Cheers for more corners in the city that elevate your experience.

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