Bar do Porto is a family run project based in the small fishing village Corrubedo in Galicia, North West Spain. In a community where bars and restaurants are an important part of the daily lives of the locals, we decided to reopen and reimagine a a neighbourhood bar that had been closed for over 25 years. Setting an example for other rural ventures, we run the bar supporting local produce and suppliers, giving job opportunities to young locals, and encouraging a mix of urban and rural clients.
National
Spain
Galicia
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2020-08-01
As an individual
First name: Celeste Last name: Chipperfield Gender: Female Nationality: United Kingdom Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Rúa Torreriro, Corrubedo Town: Ribeira Postal code: 15969 Country: Spain Direct Tel:+34 981 86 53 70 E-mail:bardoporto4@gmail.com
Bar do Porto is a family run project based in the small fishing village of Corrubedo in Galicia, North West Spain. The space was an historic neighbourhood bar which closed over 30 years ago and was left untouched since. In a community where bars and restaurants are an important part of the daily lives of the locals, we decided to reopen and reimagine this local bar, giving it a new life while simultaneously keeping its history and personality. The design project was carried out by the architect David Chipperfield along with a local architect from the region. The bar was previously a fish salting workshop - we uncovered the original granite slabs and restored them, kept the kitchen tiles, the old sports trophies that were left by the previos owners (who still live above the bar), all the details of the past that the regulars would still appreciate when they would return to the reopened bar.
Although we did not have any hospitality experience, we were motivated by the idea of giving continuity to a traditional bar that at the same time was a contemporary place. We wanted the design intervention to maintain the traditional essence of the space. Our aim was to recreate the normal port bar that it was before, keeping its spirit but integrating new ideas. We also wanted to promote local products and suppliers - we do not work with anything or anyone that is not local - and to offer opportunities to young people in a rural community in which these are scarce.
Both the locals and customers from afar have honoured us with their friendship and the bar has quickly became part of their daily lives. It was always important to us that the bar was open all year for the people of the village. We hope that the project can set an example for other rural ventures - to protect and restore historic places, to support local suppliers, and to provide a welcoming space where both urban and rural clients are able to share together an enriching community environment and spirit.
Community
Quality of life
Sustainable
Synergetic
Continuity
We renovated the bar with local craftsman and materials, keeping as many features of the original space as possible where the condition was still ok. Upon opening the bar, we committed to using entirely local and fresh produce in the kitchen, all coming from local suppliers. We aimed to bring new life to an historical village bar, making it accessible to all types of audience, from locals to tourists, giving employment opportunities to young people from the area, and supporting local suppliers on a daily basis. We hope to set an example of how to give continuity to abandoned spaces in small areas where sense of community is very important. We highlight how small communities should run a business supporting other local companies and individuals.
In keeping several original elements of the bar we were able to bring back to life a village establishment that had a lot of meaning for the local people. (A few of the attached images show the bar in its previous life). The walls have slowly become adorned with old photographs of the bar's old life and the villagers, that people have given us. The locals enjoy reminiscing and feeling welcome in the new bar, as if it had never closed. They come in telling stories about the old bar, the trophies on the wall, the collection of small alcohol bottles which we kept from the previous owner. Some locals have given us handmade crafts they created for the bar such as boats and drawings, and over time the bar is creating its new history. All of this lends for a very special atmosphere in the bar, both for the locals and for tourists or those that come from nearby towns. This atmosphere is created in a large part through the renovation of the bar. In keeping as many historical original elements as possible, whilst attracting new people with a complementing and sensitive modern design, it sets an example of how we should renovate and restore where possible and how culture and tradition are an important element of design and should be considered together.
As our main aim was to open the bar for the the village locals, we assured all prices of coffee, local drinks etc. kept in line with all other establishments of the area. We did not want the space to be daunting or inaccesible for anyone. Although the space was designed with high quality design and materials, we wanted to make sure it was accessible to all types of audiences. The locals come in daily for their affordable glass of wine and free tapa, and families come from the neighbouring cities for more lavish Sunday lunches or luxurious dinners. Locals and tourists from all classes mix in the friendly environment and choose how to spend their time and money in the bar, with options for all tastes and price ranges. Restaurants and bars should not have a target audience, but instead aim to be a space for all to mix. We make sure to keep the price of items in line with all other bars, but manage to keep quality high, using small batches of fresh local material. Although it provides a larger financial stress, we ensure the bar is open all year around (unlike the establishments solely targeted at tourists in high seasons) and are open from early morning to late in the evening, providing coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and everything in between. This creates a welcoming atmosphere and somewhere where anyone can come in throughout the day for anything they desire, spending any amount, small or big, they wish to.
The clients are what brings the bar its life. Since opening, it was met with open arms, from the locals to the region's president. The involvement of the customers both in the stories and memories they bring, as well as the new traditions and environment they create there bring an incredible feeling to the space. They enjoy the modern design elements and the novelty of these, while also treasuring the memories that the space conjures for them, bringing the two together in a very special way. People have brought us photos and objects to hang on the wall, they meet in the evenings to play music (one elderly local man keeps his seas shells behind the bar to play and sing with his friends when he goes in), they dance, they share their cultures and traditions with customers that come from different Galician cities or from abroad. The staff (waiters and chefs) who are all local, play a vital role in interacting with the customers and making them feel welcome. The mayor of the town and other political figures have shown a great appreciation for the bar as they understand the impact it has had on tourism for the area while simultaneously respecting and keeping within the region's traditions and culture.
David Chipperfield designed the bar and the project was carried out as a family. We did not have any support or investment financially from any individuals or administrations. It was a personal investment for the village and we relied on the involvement from the locals. We were able to visit the closed bar and see how it existed, although abandoned. From the start we consulted locals who knew the bar before and were able to show us photos of its previous life. Through their stories, photos, and involvement in the project we were able to discover original elements such as the stone floor which had been covered. We renovated the bar with local craftsmen and using local material wherever possible. We engaged some international designers such as John Morgan, a respected graphic designer, as we thought his contribution and outsider experience would bring a strong element to the design. Combinations such as these were vital as we were able to value to the local from a global perspective and were able to share cultural experiences.
The design of the bar was carried out by International architect David Chipperfield, but built together with a local architect and using local craftsman and materials. This mix of international and local cultures and experiences made for a sensitive, respectful, but unique and admired outcome. Restoration was an important part of the project several original elements that could be kept were restored. The facade, although needing work, was recreated in a very sensitive manner, keeping to its original character and even using the same red paint they used before, which was originally used to paint the fishing boats in the village.
The bar has been acknowledged on several different levels. As a village bar it has been welcomed by the locals, as a restaurant it has been praised for the quality of its food and cooking, it has been admired as an architectural project, and it has even won Elle Gourmet's award of 'coolest bar' in Spain ('el bar más cool'). The real success has been the sense of belonging and community it has given to the locals and the experiences and memories that have, and will be, made there.
For this project, we concentrated on looking back to the old, respecting what was there before and how it was done. Instead of creating something modern, or insisting on a new concept, we turned back to tradition and what was enjoyed and welcomed in the past. Even in terms of the food - we do not look to bring fancy, international or modern offerings, and instead focus on quality of local produce and how best to source this. Both in the design and the cooking, if the importance is placed on the materials, very little intervention should be done thereafter.
There was a certain level of innocent ignorance in our approach to the project. The only expertise we had was in the field of design and architecture, we had no experience in the hospitality sector. So we approached the project from our design experience and allowed ourselves to be open to the culture and tradition we were working within, learning and applying new elements along the way. This mix of design, culture, and tradition led to a much more special and unique outcome for all.
Although the project is focused to one small village in Galicia, we hope it provides an example of the importance of continuity and restoring old establishments in rural communities to avoid isolation for the elderly, and to provide working opportunities for the youth, helping to battle migration. In today's society too much importance is placed on concepts and bringing the new and exotic. Instead we should focus on tradition and combining this with new experiences. In terms of development, it should also be an example of how old buildings can be given a new life, learning from past design processes and materials used in different cultures, and continuing these process throughout time. In developing only new constructions, we lose these artefacts and traditions and are not able to learn from them nor continue them.
For small rural communities, local people rely on local business, both for employment and entertainment. In a region like Galicia, a large proportion of the youth either leave Galicia to seek work elsewhere, or struggle to find a job. The elderly in rural villages often suffer from isolation due to lack of entertainment and social interaction. Rural life for both the young and the elderly can be difficult if not protected and developed. Something as simple as a bar can help address this issue in rural communities worldwide. Giving life to an old building - restoring a historical establishment, rather than developing new constructions - building connections with local companies and suppliers, in order to provide a place of social interaction, of employment opportunities, a place for people to belong to, can have a great impact on a rural community. Although from the outside it may just be a small bar, for a village it can provide so much more.
