https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/2641 en-us A star Catalan chef cum restaurateur enlists this year’s Pritzker Prize–winning firm to create an engaging environment for an innovative culinary experience in Barcelona.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12938 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12938-enigma-restaurant-by-rcr-arquitectes-and-pau-llimona Inside, the curving entry ramp offers a disorienting transition. Walls of sintered stone are faced with molded-glass panels for added shimmer. Photo © Pep Sau Enigma occupies the raised ground floor of a nondescript office building in central Barcelona. Guests gain access via a PIN code. Photo © Dámaso Pérez Molded glass screens add to the mystery of the spatial layering, within the interstitial spaces, and between the dining room and kitchen. Photo © Pep Sau The dining room, with sintered stone floors and walls veiled in glass, has stormy ceilings of crumpled steel mesh with LEDs. The architects designed the clear resin furniture and waitstaff uniforms. Photo © Pepo Segura Surfaced with sintered stone, the kitchen is visible to diners. Rear glazing screens it from the workshop where new dishes are tested. Photo © Dámaso Pérez Surfaced with sintered stone, the kitchen is visible to diners. Rear glazing screens it from the workshop where new dishes are tested. Photo © Dámaso Pérez   The Teppanyaki Grille, one station of the peripatetic meal, is lit from above with subtle accents of red. (Other stations feature blue and lilac light.) Photo © Dámaso Pérez Image courtesy RCR Arquitectes and Pau Llimona