All-day café Bica brings authentic Brazilian and Portuguese flair to Midtown Manhattan. The quaint new concept was developed by siblings Carlos and Victor Pedro—the sons of Alfredo Pedro, the restaurateur behind popular Brazilian restaurant Ipanema, which will soon reopen in a new location beside Bica. New York- and Los Angeles-based Bolt Design Group drew inspiration from the joie de vivre of Brazil’s cities and jungles to animate the space with a liveliness that transports guests from the streets of New York.
“The design of the space is about movement and feeling,” says Bolt founder and lead designer Matt Dennis. “We asked the question: What does it feel like to be in Brazil—on the beach in Rio or amongst the jungles and rivers of the Amazon? The movements and vibrations that come alive in these settings were directly translated into the formal and material rhythm of the space. As you walk in from the cacophony of Midtown Manhattan, you enter a space that mimics the undulations of the Amazon River, slowing the guest down into a smooth Brazilian dance.”
Vibrant blue and white handpainted tiles rendered by Portuguese artisans line the interior, which includes a seating area finished with rattan wood furnishings that infuse warmth. Solid wood planters detailed with rippled amber metal mimic the motion of running water, accenting the natural materiality of the design. Ropes are suspended from the ceiling to create a soft canopy reminiscent of the rainforest, while custom light fixtures immerse the space in a mellow glow.
“Through warmth of the materials, the proportions, and the formal gestures, the space carries you through a sinuous journey,” Dennis adds. “Tempo, tone, and lighting create an environment of elegant liveliness.”
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