Spacegram: Making of Cocoon Room – Nómada Chiado

Spacegram: Making of Cocoon Room – NÓMADA CHIADO is the latest experimental destination to be inducted into Lisbon’s vibrant food scene. Known for their innovative fusion food, Nómada’s restaurant owners approached Spacegram for a second collaboration with a desire to create an experiential and uniquely immersive space. Their brief involved the transformation of a barren, vault-like interior characterised by domed structures into an enveloping, warm and sophisticated dining atmosphere. Our response was to create three distinct yet complementary spaces through material articulation, textural richness and bold sculptural landmarks. The spaces are united by a set of overall drivers: a feeling of warmth and welcome; a priority for comfort; and a discrete brand of luxury influenced by Japanese minimalist design. The first main space, which is taken up by the restaurant’s entrance and bar, draws visitors in through a tunnel, revealing a soft glow of muted light, simulating the ambience of a summer night. The tunnel leads to a cocktail bar and spiral staircase, each built from bespoke metal structures, with the staircase leading visitors to a lower dining level. A naturally-lit, dramatically vaulted sushi bar defines the second eating area. Four tables occupy the linear space, in direct view of the restaurant’s sushi kitchen. A custom-designed and built neon light fixture hangs from the ceiling – an installation conceived as a collaboration between Spacegram and Ian Yurisch. After sunset, its luminescent rods – as a nomadic boat wire-frame evoking the nomadic experience of travelling – emit a warm amber hue across the intimate room. The restaurant’s signature space, known as the ‘cocoon room’, immerses visitors in an undulating, internal landscape of rippling forms and natural textures. he room is panelled throughout with woodwork produced by MtWoods. The panels have been designed using a generative pattern – their mechanically carved ripples having been inspired by aquatic and ethereal elements occurring in nature. Panelled corners articulate as double-curved segments, each having been delicately veneered by hand. Curved sofas accentuate the character of panelling, providing comfortable seating whilst adding to the intimate ambience. Collectively, the panels coalesce to form an opening that frames a third space – one which holds an artwork representing nomadic travel by water across the globe. The sculpture – a vortex ceiling piece produced by Artworks – emulates a constant, spiralling motion, capturing light and shadow as it moves in space.