Isern Serra curates Barcelona’s “Miners Café”
Located in Barcelona a newly opened Miners Café was completed by interior designer Isern Serra . This specialty coffee shop, originally established in Prague in 2019, has now expanded its operations to Spain , starting with its first location in Barcelona. In collaboration with Isern Serra, the goal was to transform an empty space in the heart of El Poblenou into a unique and tranquil cafe that would stand out from the artistic city.
The concept behind the interior design of Miners Café aims to convey the craftsmanship and delicacy of coffee production. The design reflects this idea and aims to create an honest and simple space that exudes serenity. The centerpiece of the space is a large bar and display element, meticulously built on site and encased in colorful tiles.
Images © Salva Lopez | @salvalopez
Spaces united by color and texture
The layout of the Isern Serra The Miners Café in Barcelona, which he designed, is characterized by its elongated, rectangular floor plan. The first sales area has a striking long counter, while the service and storage areas are located in the middle zone. To the rear is the workshop, which has a backyard that allows for plenty of natural light.
The walls of the café tell of the passage of time and show different textures from different construction phases. These textures, ranging from stone to various brick constructions, have been retained to add richness and character to the space. However, they were unified through the application of an off-white color scheme, creating a harmonious and luminous atmosphere. This choice of color increases the height of the space and brings plenty of light into the longitudinal space, while at the same time accentuating the bar and bakery area with a tiled finish.
the bar and the display
The bar in the Miners Café is an eye-catcher in the entrance area. Tailored and reinforced, it serves both as a counter for coffee service and as a bar table where customers can enjoy a relaxed coffee experience. In the areas where coffee is served, seating was deliberately avoided so that the entire space can be reserved for the placement of machines and equipment. The bar is characterized by its tiles and unique color that evoke the craftsmanship and artisanal process of coffee making.
Adjacent to the bar is another countertop in reinforced concrete with a microcement finish, aligned with a displaced wall. This clever arrangement offers additional seating capacity by incorporating shelves. These shelves not only support the bar on the sides, but also serve as a display surface that blends perfectly with the overall color scheme and allows the products to stand out.
fascinating light and mirror
Lighting plays a central role in The Miners Café and contributes to the overall ambience. The design includes bespoke lighting with horizontal Linestra luminaires supported by iron structures, guiding visitors from the café to the bakery area. LEDS C4 provides the technical lighting, while special decorative lighting fixtures such as pendant lights like Santa and Cole ‘s white Bowl pendant light are integrated into the bar area.
Another element that adds character and visual interest to the space is the use of pink finish mirrors. These mirrors not only reinforce the linear space, but also provide rhythm and depth. A curved mirror at the entrance offers street views of the bar and display shelves, while another circular mirror frames the coffee area with a large Slayer coffee maker.
The workshop area of The Miners Café takes the form of a central arch that continues seamlessly from the arch between the service area and the corridor. Exposed columns and kitchen units define this space, while tile-colored ceramics protect the walls and provide a smooth transition between service areas. To add a touch of nature, a large window serves as a divider between the workshop and a plant-filled courtyard that serves as an aesthetic backdrop. On special occasions and during the summer, the doors can be opened, merging indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere.
Circular and arcuate mirrors add graphically layered depth to the narrow space
