La Casa Encendida Cafetería

Developed between 2021 and 2022, the LCE Café represents a landmark achievement as the first complete manifestation of the studio’s M15 design system. Commissioned by the renowned cultural center La Casa Encendida in Madrid, the project involved the creation of a brand-new cafeteria designed and executed during a limited closure period, utilizing exclusively materials sourced from the institution’s own warehouses and previous exhibitions.

The design team approached the space as an exercise in "institutional mining." By repurposing a variety of surplus stocks, the studio developed a bespoke furniture collection that tells the story of the center’s material history. Key pieces include the Metalux Chairs and Tables, meticulously crafted from salvaged industrial shelving units and pine wood profiles recovered from dismantled exhibition walls. To ensure future circularity, the team utilized 14-millimeter welded iron bars, chosen for their full recyclability and structural honesty.

Innovation at LCE Café extends to every detail. The Leather Stools pay homage to Patricia Urquiola’s "Patriboreto" design, reupholstered in a cutting-edge, sustainable material derived from apple seeds. Furthermore, the space features long sofas built from industrial L-profile shells and waterproof planters made by folding and riveting repurposed banners from past exhibitions. This collaborative effort, supported by Huertoteca for the greenery, transforms commercial waste into a vibrant, functional interior.

As part of the "projects" scale, the LCE Café serves as a living laboratory for the studio’s philosophy. By restoring pre-existing metal tables through powerful sandblasting and nourishing historical wooden surfaces with wax, the team has created a space where the past and future of sustainable design coexist. This project stands as a definitive example of how "pro-cycling" can revitalize cultural hospitality through technical ingenuity and resource responsibility.