Architects: ACXT Location: Museo Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain Architect In Charge: César Caicoya Gómez-Morán Design Team: Beatriz Pagoaga, Oscar da Costa Project Year: 2011 Photographs: Aitor Ortiz
Facilities: Lorena Muñoz Telecommunications: Aritz Muñoz Structure: Xabier Gonzalo Measurements And Quotation: Agurtzane Insa Site Supervision: Agurtzane Insa
The project involves the restructuring of the museum cafeteria, exclusive to visitors, and its surroundings (hall, washrooms and preparation area) into a high standing restaurant, open also to the public and with a capacity for 40 diners.
The work was taken on with a clear objective: the space had to represent chef Josean Alija’s culinary style; it had to be a true reflection of his creative processes.
Therefore, one goes up an impressive stone staircase (approved by Frank O. Gehry) that leads into a titanium hallway. From here, one accesses the locale which is shared by the kitchen, visible and visitable, and the restaurant, both in a unique last generation spatial ambiance. Maple wood and lacquered sheet are also shared, the latter being pierced in the restaurant to allow light, air conditioning and sound through and smooth and plain in the kitchen and the extractors.
The generated ambiance transmits simplicity, excellence and elegance.
Nerua got his first Michelin Star just six months after its inauguration.
