Image Courtesy of Stone Designs
Guest Contribution by An Michiels
Chances are small that you have heard about the Javalambre ski station near Valencia in Spain before. We hadn't! Apart from the delight of being able to ski in these sunny surroundings, now there is another reason to check out the pistes of Javalambre. Stone Designs, the Madrid based interior designers have just completed Lapiaz, a new restaurant and chocolateria within the main ski resort building by architect José María Galve.
Image Courtesy of Stone Designs
The Aramón Group assigned the restaurant design to Stone Designs, who were asked to respond to the existing bold resort building, characterised by its large glass facade looking out on to the ski runs and the surrounding forest. The concept developed around two core themes, the first being respect for the building's architecture, which Stone Designs wanted to take maximum advantage of, strengthening its identity with their interior design proposal. Secondly, the interior design was used to merge the external and internal environment by treating the interior as a real landscape. A forest of timber clad columns and cylindrical lights form the backdrop of the restaurant.
Image Courtesy of Stone Designs
The playful but practical tables and benches are made from natural pine and are adapted to the needs of the skiers. Metallic baskets underneath the tables provide necessary space for helmets, gloves and scarves. The quirky edge detail - a touch of green colour – represents the Aramón Group's corporate colour. The same colour scheme reappears on the mezzanine handrail, accentuating the building's perspective and promoting the corporate colour in a subtle way, rather than tiring the customer with brand logos.
Image Courtesy of Stone Designs
About Stone Designs
Stone Designs was set up in 1995 by Cutu Mazuelos and Eva Prego. They started off with small scale interior design, stands and displays. This field served them during the initial years to experiment and study, creating a new way of understanding and relating to design. Throughout the years they started taking on projects of much greater depth, but they insist on working with companies with which they truly feel affinity, regardless of the scale or fee attached. Their client list ranges from companies of friends that they love and admire to bigger players such as Women's Secret, De Beers and Muji.
Image Courtesy of Stone Designs
