Among Bogotá‘s wide array of meeting spots, Masa ranks top of the list among discerning creative crowds. Founded in 2012 by chef Silvana Villegas and multimedia designer husband Julian Jaramillo, the bakery not only churns out a variety of delicacies, but also comes with a matching setting where to hang out and chill. In fact, being quite successful right from the start, Masa has grown into a mini chain, and has just opened its third location in the leafy Santa Bibiana neighbourhood of the Colombian capital. Following a collab four years ago, the husband-and-wife team once again tapped New York City-based architecture practice Studio Cardena, and has resulted in an architecturally striking venue. Measuring 7,500 sq.ft. (697 sqm.) across a single floor, the structure comprises of different, interconnected volumes, accommodating respectively an entrance area, café and bakery, dining area, and a retail space. All around the building, a series of triangular cut-outs obviously lend the ridged façade a striking edge, but also allow in floods of daylight.
Masa‘s interior design is clean and understated, and makes clever use of building’s concrete shell and voluminous spaces. But it isn’t all concrete as certain sections are covered in slatted wood and wooden panelling, and apart of a circular concrete service station and elongated bar, furnishings are crafted from timber. Various traditional seating arrangements can be found, but also a multitiered seating platform with a built-in planter. And speaking of which, lush tropical plants can be seen throughout the premises, boosting the sense of relaxation. Inside one of the volumes hand-painted metal mesh artfully hangs from the ceiling, and vie for attention in competition with large paper globes. As said, Masa is first and foremost a bakery, and as such its menu is brimming with a variety of homemade bread, sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. Additionally, the on-site shop expands the merchandise with compatible goods such as coffee, chocolates and jams.
Masa
Calle 105 #18A-68 (Santa Bibiana)
110111 Bogotá
Telephone: +57 1 6531001
Mon-Fri 7am-9pm
Sat 8.30am-9pm
Sun 8.30am-5pm
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
