Naturally, Formentera
Wood, clay, jute, terrazzo, wicker... Only natural materials that respond to the sustainable character of one of the
most beautiful islands in the world. This is “Ritmo Formentera”, a restaurant in San Ferran de Ses Roques that has
translated the privileged enclave in which it is located to its interior design, by the hand of “Destudio Arquitectura”.
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A free-standing, two-storey building houses
the restaurant, located in the nerve- centre
of the island, with a magnificent presence
from different points of view. As Destudio explains,
“the rehabilitation project focused on
eliminating palimpsests and emphasizing the
semi-circular arches as a characteristic element
of the building”. The disused roof was
also refurbished, integrating the building into
its Mediterranean surroundings with lime
coating its entire volume.
This is not the only natural material: “The
palette of materials used in the interior responds
to the character of the island: only natural
and typically Mediterranean materials
have been allowed, such as clay, wood, jute,
terrazzo or wicker”. They shape the floor, the
ceiling, with wicker panels that also fulfil an
acoustic function: furnishing and decorating
the premises.
Architecture and interior design connect with
Formentera. As the same restaurant explains
on its website: “We want to convey the essence
of the island and connect it with all the
details of the architectural style and interior
design that have been carried out and that
provides one of the best experiences in each
of the three environments in which that the
restaurant is divided”. This is the terrace on
the ground floor, raised above street level; the
interior of the premises; and the upper floor.
This is where you can enjoy the best sunsets.
“Destudio” has installed rope and wood
swings on the upper floor, and a large pergola,
made of chestnut and eucalyptus wood, present
on many of the island’s beaches. “With
it, the entrance of the sun is filtered and the
Mediterranean presence is reinforced. The
decoration repeats the natural leitmotif in
materials and also in colours: terracotta,
aquamarine…”.
And in the toilets, a large washbasin runs
through it as a trough, in the terrace, the leading
factor in the room, hidden behind a clay
lattice, with mirrors repeating their shapes in
a game of semi-circular architectural arches.
“Ritmo Formentera” configures a space of
earth tones and sand, with wood and rope,
stone and ceramics, wicker and jute creating
a place where you can recreate the senses of
the Balearic Mediterranean.