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The project starts with an invitation to transform DOP, a restaurant founded by Chef Rui Paula, already known as a food destination in the city of Porto. The challenge was to bring new energy and improve the restaurant experience in all its senses while honoring the heritage of the building where it is located. To achieve this, we built a narrative: 1. A gastropub that hosts a generous, double-height space dedicated to cocktails and informal meals. 2. A dinning room that feels like home, with warm colors and easily recognizable wood textures. 3. A surprisingly graphic and kaleidoscopic restroom. 4. A secret cellar. 5. A kitchen that stages meal preparation as if it were a theater performance.
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Nestled within the Palácio das Artes, formerly the headquarters of the Bank of Portugal, DOP restaurant graces Porto's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This prime location places the restaurant at the heart of one of Porto's most treasured and vibrant areas, adding to its allure and appeal. It sits in front of Largo S. Domingos, an iconic square in Porto that has long been a focal point of the city’s social and cultural life. The location not only provides a picturesque setting but also connects the restaurant to the rich history and dynamic atmosphere of Porto. Visitors and locals alike are drawn to this area, making DOP a key destination for those seeking both culinary excellence and a touch of the city's storied past.
The project is committed to sustainability by sourcing and producing all materials, furniture, lighting, and equipment locally. This not only supports the community but also minimizes transportation costs and environmental impact. A highlight is the custom-made engineered stone, crafted from recycled materials leftover from the stone industry. This innovative approach showcases a dedication to both environmental responsibility and creative reuse, contributing positively to the project's ethos of sustainability.
Nestled in the Palácio das Artes, once the Bank of Portugal's headquarters, DOP restaurant enriches Porto's UNESCO World Heritage-listed center. Facing Largo S. Domingos, a historic square central to Porto's cultural life, DOP blends culinary excellence with the city's vibrant past, drawing both locals and visitors.
DOP's exterior boasts a distinctive red neon logo and renovated double-height windows, inviting exploration. Inside, a grand bar with stone accents and bespoke furnishings exudes modern opulence. Artworks complement steel and red leather décor under natural south-facing light, creating varied atmospheres from day to night.
The dining room features a warm palette of wood and leather, enhancing intimacy and comfort. Vertical voids connect floors, maintaining visual unity enhanced by strategic mirrors. The kitchen, designed for efficiency, showcases culinary craftsmanship with a theatrical flair and includes a hidden wine cellar for tastings.
Unique design extends to the restroom's kinetic black-and-white entrance and a red transition area leading to an upper level with a curved balcony, reminiscent of monastery pulpits. This veranda offers panoramic views, weaving historical reverence into DOP's narrative of innovation and tradition.
All my gastronomic creations have a very specific objective: to create highly positive and unforgettable experiences. The renovation of the DOP restaurant was a major challenge, taking into account all the pragmatic premises of a design project in an area of cultural and historical heritage. The result was the creation of a functional kitchen occupied by a large team working simultaneously, several dining rooms with different atmospheres and nuances, a bar with a DJ space to welcome customers wh
ASR develops solutions that are directed to the end-user experience and follows sustainable models of construction and production.
Our practice aims to contribute to the process of place-making while paying homage to memory and history. The experimentation with materials in architecture translates a deep appreciation for heritage and craftsmanship. Therefore, the integration of tradition with innovation fosters environments where daily routines become sensorial ventures.
Based in Porto, the studio collaborates with other experts and consultants, both locally and internationally. The creative process is dialogical with the client, and intertwines research, design and architecture.
