La Boca
LIMASSOL TOWN CENTRE
COMPLETED 2009
HOSPITALITY
PHOTO CREDITS - VICTOR HADJIKYRIACOU & COLUMBIA RESTAURANTS LTD
This vibrant and contemporary Italian restaurant is a key element within our Columbia Plaza project, designed to offer a fast-paced yet immersive dining experience. The architectural concept embraces transparency and interaction, with chefs preparing meals behind glass counters, reinforcing a sense of theatre and craftsmanship.
The spatial arrangement is cantered around long, high dining benches and stools, encouraging communal dining and social engagement, while maintaining an efficient flow within the restaurant.
The structure is defined by an industrial aesthetic, with exposed steel and concrete elements that establish a bold, urban character. This raw materiality is counterbalanced by Alexandra Hadjikyriacou’s striking 17-meter-long mural, which serves as a dynamic focal point, visually linking the space to the flavors and ingredients of the menu. The flooring, composed of wide limed oak planks, introduces warmth and texture, subtly grounding the design within a more natural palette. The integration of wall-mounted monitors displaying live events, news, and music videos further enhances the lively, ever-changing atmosphere of the space
Externally, a shaded stoa extends the restaurant’s presence onto the street, creating an inviting alfresco dining area that maintains a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior spaces. This covered outdoor zone not only offers a comfortable dining alternative but also reinforces the Mediterranean tradition of engaging with the urban environment.
Above, the mezzanine level provides a more intimate and relaxed dining experience, strategically positioned to overlook both the main restaurant space and the pizza and pasta factory. This visual connection to the production process highlights the restaurant’s commitment to authenticity, with freshly made ingredients becoming an integral part of the spatial and sensory experience. The layered design approach—combining an open, interactive ground floor with a more contemplative mezzanine—creates a dynamic yet cohesive atmosphere, ensuring that the space remains adaptable to different dining experiences throughout the day.
