ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Noor Restaurant in Córdoba, Spain by ggarchitectsJuly 26th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: ggarchitects Spaces, motifs, materials and light evoke the atmosphere of the Caliphate in the pursuit of a complete andalusian gastronomic experience When Paco Morales embarked on the opening of his newest restaurant in Córdoba, he parted from a clear and ambitious premise: to regain and reinterpret Andalusian cooking from an avant-garde andhaute cuisine perspective. Therefore, the Cordoban chef didn’t conceive NOOR as a usual restaurant, but as a “cultural project” which would provide diners a complete gastronomic experience, that is, an actual recreation of what a palace banquet at the 10th century Medina Azahara might have been. Thisrequired going beyond a mere gastronomic proposal and involved all aspectssurrounding NOOR: from architecture to staff clothing, taking care and pampering every detail about decoration and tableware.  Main Hall_the Cordobese light goes through the dome, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza
 Main Hall_lightning creates a charming space, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza Following on from the above, the restaurant construction project had to revolve aroundthe Arabic heritage, but seen through a contemporary prism. To accomplish this, ggarchitects, the architecture firm in charge of the restaurant’s design, proposed the creation of “fictional archaeologies” and parted from the use of four of the most representative concepts of Islamic architecture: contrast between interior and exterior designs, sequence of spaces, articulation of light and shadow and the frequent use of geometric patterns.  Main Hall_handmade luminaries lightly levitates above the main space, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza  Main Hall_during the night, the artificial lighting accentuates and generates contrasts, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza The contrast between interiorand exterior designs—present in numerous civilizations and architectonic styles, particularly in the Muslim culture,where the austere exteriors contrast with the richly decorated interiors— becomesevident in NOOR. Thus, the façade, deliberately sober, is covered by a ceramic skin with sharp geometric motifs engraved on it—arrows, in this case—, thatcreatesgradients which frame the entrance door and contrast against the soft and colorful geometries and patterns of the interior space.  All the elements work perfectly together, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza  Main Hall_the Cordobese light goes through the dome, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza Once inside the restaurant, the sequence of spaces, order and rhythm becomesfundamental in creating the Noor experience. The entrance, lounge, open kitchen and creative space are all unified,although clearly differentiated, in a continuous spatial sequence where each space has a unique character and generates a sense of depth and fluency. As might be expected (NOOR means light in Arabic), the articulation of light and shadow has a principal role in the project,as it is used both to accentuate the contrastbetweenthe façade and the interior, and to magnify the sequence of spaces. In this respect, the small lobby is of key importance, since the darkness of this space works as a filter amidst the exterior clarity and the lounge’s dense and nuanced zenithal light.This chiaroscuro effectis also presentin the confrontation between the brightness of the open kitchen and the dimness of the bath hall, creating a one of a kind atmosphere.  Arabic patterns continuosly evoke andalusi tradition, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza Meanwhile, patterns and geometry, both fundamental in Arabic art,functionas a vehicle for communication, adding layers of meaning, generating effects and invigorating the space.These designs, featured onfaçade, floors, lounge’s dome and interior walls, are embodied in different materials, all of which have been generated with parametric digital tools that allow thepatterns to be manipulated and varied into the environment, thus enhancing their aesthetic effect.Particularly notable are the geometric patterns onthe façade and dining floor, reproduced in Techlam® porcelain, by the Alicantin company Levantina. This revolutionary material allows the motifs to be digitally printed, hence itcan be customizedad hoc. Thanks to this feature, the creation of a workflow where ggarchitects proposed patterns and variations, Paco Morales offered feedback to allow continued improvement, and Levantina produced the unique and custom made pieces, has been possible.Furthermore, the large formatporcelainsheets, whichallow a fast installation and a minimum joint presence, and theirthin width, which allowthe tiles to be mounted over any existing surface, have made of this material the perfect medium to transfer computer images into reality.  Each furniture piece is carefully chosen, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza Regarding the restaurant’s interior design, the main lounge stands out, as it is a white and luminous space where a large wooden domewith medallions embellished by nazarí reminiscent patterns, the same as on the floor, presides over the room. This piece, created by artisan Manolo García, has a spiral shape that creates an ascending effect, framing and softening the zenithal light that comes in through the ceiling skylight.The other great presence in the lounge is the open-to-view kitchen, separated from the dining area by a pick-up counter lacquered in white, which creates an interior lattice that replicates the existing pattern throughout the room. In addition, all furnishings have been personalized for NOOR, such as tables, with white top and golden legs; chairs, with customized legs and upholstered in gray ; as well as the large guéridon, to one side of the lounge.  Dome desing creates an absorbent vortex, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza Finally, the tableware,cutlery and glassware,especially designed by artisans and goldsmiths with materials from the Arab period, such as leather, ceramic and wood, imprint each piece with Andalusian soul. Hand-turned ceramic lamps, cordovan leathertablecloths, coasters, pitchers, marquetry boxes, or the hand-blown drinking glasses, all objects in the restauranthave been designed to allow diners to have a complete gastronomic experience, which recreates thegreatest splendor period of Al-Andalus.  Hall_The darkness of the entrance contrasts with the lighted main hall, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza About ggarchitects: ggarchitects is an architecture and design firm, formed by a multidisciplinary team with various concerns and perspectives, but with a common vision of the final product. Ggarchitects is the studio responsible of the creative project for NOOR, whose beginning parted from an exhaustive research study, and its growthhas beenmarked by innovation, sustainability, and the application of new technologies. A studio that has evolved into a wide range of creative solutions, capable of transforming spaces andcreating new concepts and realities through design. A network of people, projects and illusions, located in Valencia (España) and Guadalajara (México).  South facade_ Corten steel door shows the entrance to the restaurant, Image Courtesy © Alfonso Calza  Image Courtesy © ggarchitects  Image Courtesy © ggarchitects
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