Bar La Boheme

Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos

BAR LA BOHEME

 AVA Architects

ARCHITECTS
AVA Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
José Campos

AREA
165.0 m²

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
Porto, portugal

CATEGORY
Bar

Text description provided by architect.

The Bar "La Bohème" (entre amis) is located in the “Galeria de Paris” street, amidst the downtown area of Porto. The redesign sought to implement and structuralize the space, creating its own identity. 

Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos

The solution was formalized through the texture and the colour of the wood, which defines the space and provides depth to the structure’s design. 

This structure, which was placed along the corridors and namely at the walls and ceiling, allows to subvert the whole appearance of the space, appealing to its visitors sense of discovery.

The bar spans three levels: the main floor, basement and a mezzanine. The latter establishes a visual relationship with the main floor. 

Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos

The bar counter is located at the main floor’s bigger span, next to the entrance door and public access. The previously adopted functional solution was maintained, although we opted to change the (only) existing counter’s location in order to give it a larger dimension, functionality and space for its customers. 

The involving wooden structure was maintained on the lower level (basement) as to create uniformity with the main floor, and a large wine showcase was added.

The building's facade is clad in granite ashlar. We assumed that the previous window frames were made of solid wood, as to the resemblance of some existing adjacent buildings. 

Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos

Changes made to the facade were solely at the level of framework and entrance span, combining an “Afizélia” wood (natural colour) with colourless laminated glass. 

The proposed functional solution seemed more appropriate for the establishment’s new areas of operation and organization.

The composition and design of the elements in the framework were formulated taking into account the interior design of the space, while introducing rhythm by drawing vertical uprights. This also ensured some security, preventing the installation of security systems previously installed.

Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos


Bar La Boheme
© José Campos
Bar La Boheme
© José Campos


Bar La Boheme
ground floor plan
Bar La Boheme
mezzanine plan
Bar La Boheme
basement plan


Bar La Boheme
longitudinal section


Bar La Boheme
elevations
Bar La Boheme
Sketch
Bar La Boheme
cross section