Between golden tones, soft lighting, smoked glass, and geometric figures inspired by art deco, design studio Cruz de la Pava brings the aesthetic and functional essence of the Prohibition era into the contemporary world.
Starting with its name, Cartel is a bar and restaurant that seeks to revive in its own way the golden age of speakeasy bars that made history nearly a century ago. Here, bourbon is replaced by mezcal and jazz by trendy music. It’s a place that skirts eccentricity and maximalism without crossing the line. Cruz de la Pava is a design studio known for working with clean lines, so taking on the entire project was challenging, pushing them out of their comfort zone, yet it sparked their creativity. Although the client gave them free rein to execute the project, there was one condition to meet: to deliver a place where he felt at home.
“We received a typical family neighborhood house from the 1990s in the La Macarena neighborhood, from which we kept practically the structure and some tongue-and-groove ceilings. The rest of the design was made from scratch based on the client’s brief,” says Camilo Cruz. “We knew the feeling we had to create, but we were also very clear that we would not implement a modern structure that completely departed from the architectural style of the area,” adds the designer. For this reason, and to reinforce the general concept of the project, Camilo Cruz and architect Felipe de la Pava decided to camouflage it behind a custom-made artisanal concrete lattice façade designed by Cruz de la Pava.
At Cartel everything flows and is in constant motion. Each space has its own function and design, yet everything connects. The entrance with its large-format chandelier and pink Chester sofa has a cozy living room feel, while the large pine dining room in the private room on the third floor feels like being in a private club lit by a laminated stone screen that lets light pass through.
PROJECT: Cartel Restaurant.
LOCATION: Ibagué, Colombia.
Year: 2020
DESIGN: Cruz de la Pava
Words and Photography: ⓒMónica Barreneche
CLANDESTINE DESIGN
“We knew the feeling we had to create, but we were also very clear that we would not implement a modern structure that completely departed from the architectural style of the area,” Cruz de la Pava.
During the day, this geometric pattern lattice repeated on the bar, railings, floors, and partitions hides the interior of Cartel while playing a key role in the house’s ventilation. At night, this same façade, like a lamp screen, turns into a soft amber light, revealing what happens inside.
