SOLAR studio’s purpose while creating the new space of “Brando” shop was to “develop a new retail model where consumption is understood as an atmospheric experience” as they state. The project followed three fundamental premises: a reduced budget, the development of a recognisable image and a limited execution time. This resulted the generation of a blue artificial landscape, where different historical layers coexist. 

BRANDO investigates the relationship between visual perception and the phenomenology of color with the aim of developing a new retail model where consumption is understood as an atmospheric experience.

Located in the historic center of Madrid, the project is based on three fundamental premises: a reduced budget, the development of a recognisable image and a limited execution time.

With these starting points, the creation of an artificial landscape is proposed where the perception of scale is blurred through the use of color. This strategy responds to an economy of means as an ecological manifesto, avoiding demolitions to minimize the generation of waste while allowing the space to be unified and the different historical layers to be visible.

The program is organized into two parallel bands separated by a piece covered with projected polyurethane foam that meets the needs of the program, acting in turn as a counter, bar and worktop, and which provides the residual space with maximum flexibility.

Lastly, a circular luminaire made of stretched fabric stands as the central element of the space and a focus of attention from the outside. In addition, thanks to the color variation throughout the day, this piece provides the premises with multiple physical and sensory qualities.

Credits & Details

Project name: BRANDO
Date of construction: 2021
Area: 102 m2
Location: Madrid
Program: Retail
Principal Architects: SOLAR (Pablo Canga + Ana Herreros)
Photos: Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero)

Architects: SOLAR (Pablo Canga + Ana Herreros) in collaboration with Marta Jarabo
WEB: @solar.xyz
INSTAGRAM: @solar.xyz + @martajarabo
BASED IN: Madrid (Spain) and Rotterdam (The Netherlands)