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Berta

3DM Architecture

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Bronze
Interior Seating Area - Zak Pulis
Entrance View Showing Restoration of Facade - Zak Pulis
Interior Detail showing juxtaposition of old & new - Zak Pulis
Interior Seating Area - Zak Pulis

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Bar
6.75
7.25
7.17
6.75
6.98
William Barrington-Binns
William Barrington-Binns Director of Photography at WBB & Co.
8
6
8
7
7.25
Anastasia Karandinou
Anastasia Karandinou Architect, Senior Lecturer at University of East London
8
8
8
8
8
Johnny Chiu
Johnny Chiu Founder at J.C. Architecture
6
7
6
7
6.5
Corien Pompe
Corien Pompe Chairman and Founder at Donna e Mobile
6
9
7
8
7.5
Jasper Blüm
Jasper Blüm Senior Designer at Colliers
7
7
7
6
6.75
Chen Xiaohu
Chen Xiaohu Cofounder and Brand Director at BloomDesign
7
6
7
8
7
Bret Recor
Bret Recor Founder & Creative Director at Box Clever
8
8
8
8
8
Jason Traves
Jason Traves Chief Creative Officer at Lucky Fox
6
6
6
7
6.25
Richard Parr
Richard Parr Founder at Richard Parr Associates
6
8
7
3
6
Li Baolong
Li Baolong Cofounder and Creative Director at BloomDesign
7
7
7
6
6.75
Stefano Giussani
Stefano Giussani CEO at Lissoni New York
8
7
8
8
7.75
Joanna van der Linden
Joanna van der Linden Global Retail Identity & Design Manager at Nestlé Nespresso
4
8
7
5
6
Client
C. Calleja
Floor area
85 ㎡
Completion
2020
Design Architect
Design Architect
Faye Cachia Mintoff
Architect
Elena Borg Constanzi

Berta has a long history of bringing people together. From just after World War 2 up until just a few years ago, it acted as a tea room in the heart of this small village. Berta was conceived as a continuation of this tradition, representing life in its simplest form, the bond between people, and the ability to appreciate every moment. The project is the personified feeling of being with somebody you know, who you look for when seeking comfort. Through the representation of simple village life in the Mediterranean, the simplicity and character of Berta can start to emerge. It is reflected in the combination of different functions in the same place, creating one monolithic volume which is connected and allows the project to feel like one cohesive whole. The different elements of the interior - the bar, the bakery, the coffee – are designed in harmony with each other, providing a feeling of comfort to the users experiencing the space. This harmony is achieved through simple forms, using light tones that provide an airy and fresh atmosphere. The vein cut travertine marble used for the floor and counter, the earth tone lime base plaster applied to the backdrop of the bar, and the oak timber structure and furniture present in the space contrast the rough textured limestone that showcases the age of the space itself. As a result, tension is formed between the warm tones of the material and the sharp but sensitive geometric lines, which in conjunction with each other create a dynamic yet calm interior. Berta provides an atmosphere of being and staying at ease – special but discreet, elegant in its bare essence.