The bakery WHAT THE BREAD ingeniously plays with perception, thanks to the innovative and captivating design wall by MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES. Set within a 120-square-meter space in Saint-Denis, France, the bakery features a standout serving counter that appears to float. This illusion is crafted by aligning the counter’s legs precisely with the building’s concrete columns, creating a visual trick from the sidewalk where the counter seems unsupported.
The Art of Captivating Design Wall
Central to the design, the counter is both a practical and conceptual masterpiece. It acts as the visual and structural anchor of the project. By merging the visual lines of the counter with the columns, MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES cleverly makes the solid appear weightless, enhancing the space’s aesthetic appeal through its enchanting design.
The counter’s height seamlessly matches the workbenches behind it, creating a continuous line. The open layout highlights the production process, drawing parallels to Norm Architects‘ approach in Dan Bakstudio. Here, there’s no division between shop and production, encouraging a dynamic flow of activity within the space, enhanced by the overall stunning layout.
Housed in a newly constructed corner building, the bakery embraces an industrial aesthetic with its raw concrete structure, high ceilings, and expansive windows. The designers intentionally left these elements exposed, opting for a raw concrete screed floor and sandblasted finishes throughout, a testament to the engaging architecture.
Using just two materials—cast-in-place concrete and 2×2 centimeter blue ceramic mosaic tiles—MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES crafted a timeless design that challenges conventional bakery aesthetics. This minimal palette asserts a distinct identity, setting it apart from traditional French bakeries, further emphasizing their striking approach.
Three scales of squares organize the lofty room, preventing it from feeling overwhelmingly tall. A grid of light tubes forms squares on the ceiling, while tables take shape as 40-centimeter cubes. The repeating geometry draws the eye, creating a harmony that balances the space’s verticality with its compelling aesthetic.
Behind the counter lies a quieter tasting area, offering a serene retreat without isolating it from the vibrant bakery atmosphere. This seamless integration exemplifies MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES’ approach, as seen before in their Simple Coffee project in Paris. Here, the counter becomes the focal point, orchestrating the bakery’s rhythm and spatial flow through a dynamic display.
Every surface touched by customers, from benches to tables, shares the same blue ceramic mosaic tiles. This material consistency not only anchors the design visually but also serves as a tactile connection within the bakery. MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES aimed for an atmosphere that feels both ethereal and distinctive—an environment they are known for cultivating through their signature immersive style.
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Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the counter at WHAT THE BREAD appear to float?
The counter seems to float because its legs are precisely aligned with the building’s concrete columns, creating a visual illusion from the sidewalk as if unsupported.
What materials were used in the bakery’s design?
The design uses cast-in-place concrete and 2×2 centimeter blue ceramic mosaic tiles, creating a minimal and timeless aesthetic.
How does MUR.MUR ARCHITECTES create a sense of space?
They organize the room using three scales of squares, with a grid of light tubes forming squares on the ceiling and tables appearing as cubes, which creates harmony and balances the verticality of the space.