Contrasting shapes

On the main street of the Havana district -an area of particular interest for food and beverage venues- a new contemporary Italian trattoria takes shape, emphasizing a balanced dialogue between materiality and form.

 

Exterior Design & Layout

Along the sidewalk, the restaurant unfolds with its first outdoor dining area. During the summer months, the metal pergola opens, allowing the large plane trees lining the street to provide natural shade throughout the day, while leaving the sky visible at night. Perimeter planting functions as a natural filter from passersby and street traffic, complemented by marine plywood panels which, through their carefully considered design and placement, allow natural light to penetrate the space, casting dramatic shadows and creating a layered atmosphere.

The main dining hall coexists with the open kitchen, where a low counter in front of the chefs’ workspace enhances a sense of immediacy and informality -core principles of the design concept. Comfortable rosewood sofas are arranged along the perimeter, oriented toward the heart of the restaurant, the kitchen, evoking the feeling of a large communal living room. Tables for both small and larger groups are interspersed throughout the space. The existing central column, a dominant feature of the hall, is embraced by a custom-made marble table and serves as the structural base for a suspended metal planter.

Material Palette

The interior is clad with symmetrical perforated panels crafted from oak and rosewood, integrated with concealed lighting that bathes the space in warm wooden reflections. Upholstery fabrics draw inspiration from Italian elegance, both in their combinations and in the detailing of their stitching. Walls finished with hand-applied plaster gain luminosity from embedded, scattered mirrors, while material contrast is further reinforced by the use of construction planks on the floor and the brass cladding applied to all industrial stainless-steel kitchen equipment. Overall, the dialogue between raw materials -such as construction planks and plaster- and more refined ones -such as marble and brass- achieves a balance that reflects the spirit of the restaurant.

 

 

Morphology & Color Scheme

Circular elements and curves dominate the composition, both in plan and in the finer design details, from the shapes of tables and lighting fixtures to the perforations in the wooden wall panels. The circle is employed repetitively to establish a strong visual motif, while the square tile used in the preparation areas, combined with exposed green grout, was selected to introduce geometric contrast.

The color palette is led by green -featured on the entrance door, tables, selected walls, seating, and tile joints- and yellow, present in the sofas and the tones of the wood. These are complemented by brass accents, visible in elements such as the bar cladding and selected lighting fixtures.

 

Design equilibrium

Vibrant colors and textures converge to create an immersive living experience withing the apartment. Specifically, by blending lightness, functionality, and a contemporary approach to materials, the project celebrates creativity in every detail.

 

Design Philosophy

Occupying 97m2, the apartment distinguishes itself through a bold color palette and visual composition strategies that explore contrast, layered surfaces, and geometric forms. The result is an atmosphere that feels both dynamic and meticulously composed.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The social areas are seamlessly integrated, with subtle zoning achieved through ceiling color variations. The entrance features a white ceiling, while the living, dining, and kitchen spaces are unified under a green one – a visual transition that preserves openness while defining distinct functions. Organic, lightweight furnishings reinforce the apartment’s identity and contribute to an inviting, balanced ambiance. The layout harmonizes aesthetics with practicality, supporting everyday living while maintaining a sense of vibrancy and expression.

 

 

Material Palette

A dialogue between bold geometries, contemporary materials, and an emphasis on well-being establishes a refined balance between functionality and creative intent. The project embodies the essence of contemporary living, offering a fluid, expressive environment where comfort and design coexist in equilibrium.

 

Eight Station’s Workflow for Green Theory

When Green Theory set out to update its furniture catalog, the scope was ambitious: more than 450 photorealistic product images covering 150 outdoor furniture designs. For most studios, such a task would require months of production, endless revisions, and the constant risk of inconsistency. Vancouver-based studio Eight Station saw it as an opportunity to rethink the rendering process from the ground up.

The key was treating workflow design as seriously as visual design. Instead of relying on scattered folders and email chains, the team moved client collaboration into Figma. The platform, more commonly used for interface design, became a central hub where Green Theory could view, comment, and approve visuals in real time -cutting review cycles dramatically.

On the production side, a two-pass rendering method was introduced to maintain consistent shadows and lighting across hundreds of images. They also built a tailored material library by scanning actual finishes at Green Theory’s factory, ensuring powder-coat colors, wood grains, and stainless steel textures looked true to life. For stainless steel, they solved tricky reflection issues using Corona Ray Switch Materials, keeping the surfaces realistic without unwanted artifacts.

Automation played its part too. Photoshop scripts handled repetitive tasks, while an organized Google Drive structure ensured no assets were lost along the way. By combining technical precision with efficient systems, the team transformed what could have been a stressful, drawn-out process into a streamlined and scalable workflow.

The result was a complete catalog of consistent, high-quality visuals delivered on time. More than a rendering project, the collaboration demonstrated how process innovation can unlock creativity at scale. For studios tackling similar challenges, Eight Station’s work is a reminder that the future belongs to those who merge artistry with smart, systematic workflows.

Refined character

The apartment, built in a privileged location that enjoys views to Ibirapuera Park, has a clever distribution of social, private, and service rooms, and benefits from natural lighting and ventilation, developing a pleasant connection to its surroundings.

 

Architectural Approach & Materials

The project integrates the balconies to their respective interiors and creates more ample spaces. This continuity between inside and outside is enhanced with indoor plants and a garden wall. The joined balconies, high ceiling, and view to the park in the living and dining rooms, provide a grand yet intimate space, consistent with the client’s request for a place suited to socializing and relaxation.

The social area and main bedroom display three main shades: cement, wood and black. Cement is the basis of the apartment aesthetics: it is displayed on the floor, walls, and ceiling. In counterpoint, wood tones provide warmth and intimacy, while black adds sophistication, in a variety of textures.

 

Spatial Layout

The redesign of social areas consolidates the entrances and organizes movements: Initially, five doors led to the living room; three were eliminated, and a single hall was created, with access to the elevator and to the guest bathroom. The slatted oak wall masks the doors and becomes a monumental piece, integrating all interventions. The minimalist concept is elaborated in the adjacent hall, a single volume that houses multiple functions, including the dining table and the fireplace.

The elongated, ebony-clad dining table doubles as a sideboard, a barbecue, and a beer and wine cellar, in one single unit characterized by simple, pure lines. A slender granite surface accommodates the fireplace and gently supports the TV counter, an oak monolith hiding all electronic appliances. The joinery of both elements is highlighted with a slim line, allowing ventilation of the mechanical equipment, and bringing lightness to the piece.

 

Custom Furniture

Minimalism characterizes all furniture; the interior features select pieces, celebrating Brazilian design. The sofa embodies all concepts at play in the apartment: It is a grand, monumental piece, with memorable texture in a simple design. Its modular configuration adds flexibility to the layout, and allows multiple uses, making it ideal both for celebrated social occasions and for quiet moments of relaxation.

Creative flexibility

The new 1000m² offices were designed from the ground up to ensure that every corner within the space encourages collaboration, ideation and brainstorming at any given moment.

 

Spatial Organization

The layout is organized in a rectangular shape with a 100m2 interior courtyard at its center. The reception’s design conveys the idea of an unconventional working environment, with minimal aesthetic and guided by the company’s brand colours. The ceiling is defined by an industrial blue sky, while the reception area offers additional space for short meetings or work. The concept of maximum flexibility is carried out throughout the office, where spaces are organized in different typologies.

 

Exclusive Designs

Marketing and sales are the first departments to be distinguished in the space. Specifically designed webnests, featuring custom metal structures, accommodate 6 to 8 cozy workstations, complete with TVs and whiteboards. This setup facilitates seamless problem-solving and brainstorming sessions and enables each team member to share information on the screens at any time.

Bar marketing is the first brainstorming area, consisting of a large table and a series of seats arranged in a bar layout. The first meeting room has whiteboards on the walls and a custom-made ping pong table seating 8 people. Several think tanks become ideal for isolated work, private calls or even as an alternative workspace.

 

Custom Elements

Drawing inspiration from the word “disrupt”, a term prevalent in cloud companies, the main meeting room’s design embodies innovation since half of the room seamlessly extends outwards towards the courtyard creating a dynamic space that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. The meeting room is clad with vertical panels and includes a 12-seat table as well as a 16-seat sofa. Its walls are lined with whiteboard as well as a custom-made structure with hidden lighting.

The brainstorming room is designed as a small theatre, with the opposite wall also covered in whiteboard. The theatre is constructed in such a way that allows space for stools, which can be used for large group meetings. Adjacent to the brainstorming room is another private office, a four-person meeting bar with a TV and the RnD area with an additional 8-seat webnest. Finally, there is an additional office space filled with workstations with a central sliding mechanism that allow employees to move their desks around.

 

Innovative Uses

TV screens are installed in all workspaces, allowing employees to share information via a wireless network. A series of tripod desks offer twelve additional seats for workers and have a special moving mechanism installed that serves as storage as well as a temporary seating for a colleague.

Entertainment plays an important role in the office environment. Throughout the space there are several board and video games, including two large Score 4’s as well as a dedicated playroom illuminated with hidden lighting and clad with high-strength fabrics. The kitchen-dining room features 360o doors and small house-shaped structures with TV screens for enjoying a casual lunch break or impromptu work discussions. The courtyard becomes an extension of the dining room and includes indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate all employee needs.