Restaurant Fàbrica Moritz (Jean Nouvel)

The 2008 Pritzker prize winner, Jean Nouvel, transformed the old Moritz brewery in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood into a gastronomic space. It opened in 2011 and the project restored the original spaces and machinery while changing its atmosphere significantly through the use of transparent surfaces, light and colour. Artificial lighting plays a key role, with large panels on the walls and ceiling that bathe the space in golden and garnet red hues. The textures also contribute to the sensory experience, with the old brick walls left exposed, along with cork cladding and steel girders that contrast with the new elements. The original encaustic floor tiles have been restored and protected with a layer of transparent resin. The reflective floor ties in with the multiple mirrors placed at strategic points to enhance the lighting inside the building. In the basement, the original Catalan vaults have been restored along with the old steel vats. This has enabled the Fàbrica Moritz to start brewing beer again, although it is only consumed on the premises. The transformation of the interior courtyard is equally surprising. Nouvel used the space to create a system of terraces set out on different levels. They are connected by spectacular staircases and completed by a vertical garden.