Illuminating the coffee making ritual

Just inside the threshold of Hidden Sant Gervasi the eye is captured automatically by the stainless cylindrical island. There is no bar counter to differentiate the areas. Coffee is ground, weighed and served before whoever arrives in front. Everything happens there, with no division lines. The making process is no longer hidden, in such a way that even just ordering a cup of coffee feels different and much more intimate.

And it didn’t happen by accident. This is the fourth Hidden Coffee Roasters establishment in Barcleona, at number 101 of Travessera de Gràcia, after a pioneering journey which commenced in 2015 when speciality coffee was still an unfamiliar concept for most. Since the beginning as well as introducing the idea to the public, the brand invested in the source, traceability and its own roasting, makign an argument for direct and full transparency between the barista, the client and the product. Rather than accelerating its consumption, the preference was taking one step at a time, from the gran to the cup.

This opening, more than any of the previous ones, encapsulates the journey they’ve undertaken over more than a decade. “For us, it’s a turning point,” explains Hidden, “it’s not just about opening a new space, but about reaffirming who we are today. After years of growth in the sector, we wanted to do something that spoke from experience, from learning, and from the desire to continue adding value.”

That intention is immediately obvious on entering. The architect Javi Iniesta and his team Studio Animal in collaboration with Hidden, designed an interior that avoids anything unnecessary while putting the emphasis on coffee and its preparation. The central island brings together the making and acts as a unifying element for its surroundings, facilitating a more fluid circulation around it. Anyone nearby can observe, ask questions or simply hang out at their leisure. The overall layout is more open, homely, a space that invites spending time rather than just leaving afterwards.

The materials respect the same logic. The charred wood, inspired by the same tones as the roasting process, adds a warm character, while the steel and glass act as a pristine counterpoint. Everything combines while nothing overwhelms. The materials don’t compete with one another. Each element fulfils its specific function and adds to the coffee making activity, which is what ultimately counts, but discreetly. Just like the light.

The Array Collection by Vibia designed by Umut Yamac is suspended over the island with a presence that is equally diaphanous and sculptural. Its slim metal rings and mesh of stretched threads trace an ethereal volume that attenuates the light and directs is in two directions: downwards, where is lights helps the baristas expert hands in the preparation, and upwards, where it’s gently reflected and refracted throughout the rest of the establishment, reaching the tables and waiting area. The lighting is uniform, no glare or stark shadows, immersing the interior atmosphere in a seamless manner, insulating it from the city noises outside.

Featuring the Terra Red finish, the piece introduces an earthy tone that establishes a dialogue with the charred wood and softens the steel, naturally integrating with the interior palette. More than its presence as an object in space, it acts as a calming reference that helps to configure the various elements and mark the daily rhythm. From first thing in the morning when the deluge of coffee orders descends, till the elevenses get-togethers and the more drawn-out afternoon breaks, the lighting facilitates work, conversation or simply disconnecting from the routine. Hidden describe it simply as; “Even just as a central element, it helps us in the perception of a warmer more harmonious space. That was exactly what we were after.”

In the end, it all boils down to something very simple. The grinding of the bean, the dripping water, the expert hands serving the coffee cup. The lighting doesn’t seek to overwhelm, it’s just there, discreetly supporting the daily routine.

Hidden Sant Gervasi demonstrates how when design and lighting work together to elevate the ordinary, even an everyday decision like taking a coffee break can become a mini ritual you’ll want to repeat, in a setting where you’ll want to linger, look around, and let the coffee set the pace.

Credits:
– Architecture and interior design by Javi Iniesta, from Studio Animal, in collaboration with the Hidden Coffee Roasters team.
– Photography by Hidden Coffee Roasters team.