El Mar Restaurante (Lisboa, Portugal) por Cateto Cateto. En la última planta de El Corte Inglés de Lisboa se despliega El Mar, el nuevo restaurante del chef Kiko Martins. Un espacio donde el interiorismo se convierte en relato, invitándonos a navegar entre la costa portuguesa y las orillas de Río de Janeiro, en un homenaje visual y emocional a las raíces del chef, una mezcla entre Portugal y Brasil.
El proyecto, firmado por Alejandro Cateto y su estudio Cateto Cateto, construye una escenografia sensible y envolvente. Desde los patrones de los cojines, que evocan las curvas de las playas cariocas, hasta los azulejos -con su característica gama de blancos y azules- que anclan la memoria portuguesa, cada elemento articula un diálogo fluido entre orillas.
En las paredes, las siluetas de marineros y velas nos abrazan, guiándonos suavemente hacia este universo marítimo, donde el mar no es solo contexto, sino protagonista simbólico.
Toda la envolvente del espacio está resuelta en madera, generando una atmósfera cálida y envolvente que recuerda a los camarotes interiores de un velero. De este velero que nos conduce en un viaje entre dos continentes, tanto estético como culinario. Una sensación íntima, como si estuviésemos embarcados en una travesía oceánica, con el mar en el horizonte y el diseño como timón.
La materialidad, la calidez de la madera y una paleta cromática que alterna entre los azules del océano y los tonos dorados del sol -o, más bien, del atardecer- refuerzan esta atmósfera onírica. Sobre todo, la luz: las luminarias Dipping Light de Marset, suspendidas como si colgaran de cañas de pescar, no solo completan la escena con un guiño mediterráneo, sino que juegan a ser el sol poniente, multiplicándose en los reflejos de los ventanales cuando cae la noche.
El Mar no es solo un restaurante, es una experiencia escenográfica y sensorial. Un espacio donde el diseño cuenta una historia: la de un chef que cruza océanos con sus recetas… y ahora también con este, su espacio.
Ficha técnica
Nombre: El Mar Restaurante
Ubicación: Lisboa, Portugal
Proyectista: Cateto Cateto
Director creativo: Alejandro Cateto
Equipo de trabajo: Daniel Rodríguez Pérez, Cristian de los Reyes García
Contract Project specialist: Tailoring Deco
Cliente: Comer O Mundo
Fotografías: Ricardo Oliveira Alves
Instagram: @cateto.cateto
English version
El Mar
On the top floor of El Corte Inglés in Lisbon is El Mar, the new restaurant by chef Kiko Martins. A space where the interior design becomes a story, inviting us to navigate between the Portuguese coast and the shores of Rio de Janeiro, in a visual and emotional tribute to the chef’s roots, a mixture of Portugal and Brazil.
The project, signed by Alejandro Cateto and his studio Cateto Cateto, builds a sensitive and enveloping scenography. From the paterns of the cushions, which evoke the curves of the Carioca beaches, to the tiles -with their characteristic range of whites and blues- that anchor the Portuguese memory, each element articulates a fluid dialogue between shores. On the walls, the silhouetes of sailors and sails embrace us, gently guiding us towards this maritime universe, where the sea is not only the context, but the symbolic protagonist.
The entire envelope of the space is made of wood, creating a warm, enveloping atmosphere reminiscent of the interior cabins of a sailing ship. Of this sailboat that takes us on a voyage between two continents, both aesthetically and culinary. An intimate sensation, as if we were embarked on an ocean voyage, with the sea on the horizon and design as the rudder.
The materiality, the warmth of the wood and a colour palete that alternates between the blues of the ocean and the golden tones of the sun -or rather the sunset- reinforce this dreamlike atmosphere. Above all, the light: Marset’s Dipping Light luminaires, suspended as if they were hanging from fishing rods, not only complete the scene with a Mediterranean wink, but also play at being the seting sun, multiplying in the reflections of the windows as night falls.
El Mar is not just a restaurant, it is a scenographic and sensorial experience. A space where design tells a story: that of a chef who crosses oceans with his recipes… and now also with this, his space.
Interior Lighting Design Project
Located on the top floor of El Corte Inglés in Lisbon, El Mar, chef Kiko Martins’ restaurant, offers a spatial experience where lighting does not act as a complementary element, but as a central narrative device. The lighting design is conceived as a scenographic tool capable of reinforcing the narrative of the space: a symbolic journey between the Portuguese coast and the banks of Rio de Janeiro, with the sea as the guiding thread.
The lighting intervention is structured around an unprecedented reinterpretation of Marset’s Dipping Light luminaire, for which a specific suspension structure was designed, conceived as fishing rods. This solution, developed specifically for the project, transforms the luminaire into a recognizable spatial gesture, relating light to the maritime imagination and the idea of casting one’s gaze-and experience- towards the horizon.
Beyond its formal value, the choice of Dipping Light responds to a conceptual and sensory decision: its characteristic chromatic gradient, in orange and gold tones, allows it to subtly and immersively reproduce the atmosphere of sunset, one of the key moments of the space. This quality is particularly relevant in the context of the rooftop, where artificial lighting interacts directly with the real sunset in Lisbon.
At dusk, a unique lighting effect is produced: the luminaires, suspended like small suns, are reflected in the large glass planes, superimposing themselves on the Lisbon sky and visually amplifying the chromatic gradient of the sunset. The artificial light does not compete with the natural light, but rather accompanies and prolongs it, creating a gradual transition between day and night that intensifies the emotional experience of the space.
This effect is further enhanced by the ceramic material used in the kitchen, where the blue tone, rough texture, and reflective properties contribute to enhancing the perception of light in the space. The interaction between lighting and surface evokes the reflection of the setting sun on the water, introducing an additional sensory dimension in which light fragments, vibrates, and gains depth.
As a complementary gesture, the restaurant sign is illuminated by Vibia’s Bamboo luminaire, used as a contemporary nautical lantern. This point of light takes on a function that is both symbolic and guiding, reinforcing the identity of the space and extending the maritime imagery to the restaurant entrance.
The wooden surroundings act as a welcoming and reflective surface, absorbing and softening the light, while the color palette-ranging from ocean blues to warm tones- enhances the feeling of depth and comfort. In this context, the lighting creates an intimate and enveloping atmosphere, evoking the interior of a sailboat and leading the user on a sensory journey where light acts as a guide.
In addition to artificial light, natural light was considered an integral part of the project. Throughout the day, the incidence of sunlight changes and creates different scenes inside the restaurant. The maritime elements installed on the glass perimeter-such as silhouettes of sailors and sails-cast dynamic shadows, creating liveliness, movement, and a sense of continuous dynamism that enriches the spatial experience.
The El Mar lighting project thus proposes an innovative, specific, and integrated solution, where design, narrative, and urban context intersect. An intervention that transforms existing luminaires into a unique luminous scenography, capable of reinterpreting the landscape of Lisbon’s sunset and affirming light as an active protagonist of the spatial experience.
Versão em português
El Mar
No último piso do El Corte Inglés, em Lisboa, encontra-se o El Mar, o novo restaurante do chef Kiko Martins. Um espaço onde o design de interiores se torna uma história, convidando-nos a navegar entre a costa portuguesa e as margens do Rio de Janeiro, numa homenagem visual e emocional às raízes do chef, uma mistura de Portugal e Brasil.
O projeto, assinado por Alejandro Cateto e pelo seu atelier Cateto Cateto, constrói uma cenografia sensível e envolvente. Dos padrões das almofadas, que evocam as curvas das praias cariocas, aos azulejos -com a sua caraterística gama de brancos e azuis- que ancoram a memória portuguesa, cada elemento articula um diálogo fluido entre margens. Nas paredes, as silhuetas de marinheiros e velas abraçam-nos, guiando-nos suavemente para este universo marítimo, onde o mar não é apenas o contexto, mas o protagonista simbólico.
Toda a envolvente do espaço é feita de madeira, criando uma atmosfera quente e envolvente que faz lembrar os camarotes interiores de um veleiro. Um veleiro que nos leva numa viagem entre dois continentes, tanto a nível estético como gastronómico. Uma sensação íntima, como se estivéssemos a embarcar numa viagem oceânica, com o mar no horizonte e o design como leme.
A materialidade, o calor da madeira e uma paleta de cores que alterna entre os azuis do oceano e os tons dourados do sol -ou melhor, do pôr do sol- reforçam esta atmosfera de sonho. Acima de tudo, a luz: as luminárias Dipping Light da Marset, suspensas como se estivessem penduradas em canas de pesca, não só completam o cenário com um piscar de olhos mediterrânico, como também brincam com o pôr do sol, multiplicando-se nos reflexos das janelas ao cair da noite.
El Mar não é apenas um restaurante, é uma experiência cenográfica e sensorial. Um espaço onde o design conta uma história: a de um chefe que atravessa oceanos com as suas receitas… e agora também com este seu espaço.
