Pastelaria Alcôa: Wood, Stone, and Copper Revive a Lisbon Bakery Shop
Pastelaria Alcôa redesigned by Contacto Atlântico, is located on Garrett Street in Lisbon, Portugal. The conversion threads a new bakery program through a storied storefront, keeping the spirit of the former lottery house alive. Warm wood slats, copper pendants, and a robust stone counter ground the room while the celebrated ceramic facade pulls the street indoors.
Morning light washes across glass cases and a serrated rhythm of vertical wood. Under a run of copper pendants, trays of pastries line a dark stone counter that bends toward the door.
The pastry shop conversion sits on 111.7 m² (1,202 sq ft) and returns a protected storefront to daily use. In Lisbon’s Chiado district, Contacto Atlântico adapts a former lottery house for Alcôa Bakery, keeping recognizable elements while clarifying flow for service and street life.
Restore And Rework
The plan respects the old counter, now wrapped in charcoal stone and fronted by slatted timber that sets a consistent cadence. Sightlines run from the entry to the production area, so customers read the offer at a glance and move easily along the angled case. Finishes do the heavy lifting: wood warms the room, stone gives weight, and glass keeps the pastries crisp in view.
Tiles At The Threshold
Querubim Lapa’s ceramic work anchors the facade and edges into the interior, a shimmering field of blues and earth tones that frames the door. The artwork acts as wayfinding and memory—color and relief gather the street, then lead customers to the counter. A slim perch folds from the tiled wall for a quick pause, tightening the dialogue between outside and inside.
Light Over Pastry
Compact copper pendants step across the ceiling in even intervals, casting warm pools on the stone top and glass. Recessed downlights add precision where staff work the till and restock trays, trimming glare without dulling the sheen of the baked goods. The lighting tempers the palette: metal glows, timber reads clean, and the ceramics flicker at the edge.
Counter As Spine
The counter bends gently to form a service spine, organizing queues and keeping circulation clear near the window. Low black cabinetry below stores daily kit, leaving the top uncluttered for product and quick handoffs. Behind, a narrow work zone stays open to view, so the ritual of restocking and serving becomes part of the room’s rhythm.
Materials In Dialogue
Timber slats climb the back wall and return onto fixtures to tie old and new. Stone underfoot and on the counter resists wear, while glass guards pastries without visual bulk. The palette is small yet intentional: wood for warmth, stone for durability, metal for sparkle, and tile for memory.
Outside, the ceramic facade meets Lisbon’s patterned sidewalks and a copper-lined entry. Inside, the layered materials hold steady through the day, welcoming a steady flow of regulars and passersby. The update respects a well-loved address and puts it back to work.
Photography courtesy of Contacto Atlântico
Visit Contacto Atlântico
