Introduction to ABRA Patisserie
ABRA is a Parisian patisserie, conceived by chef Tal Spiegel, with a vibrant interior designed by Ron From with architect Nicolas Frances. The material and color palette draw on Bauhaus and modernist precedents. Ron From clads surfaces in wood and combines it with strong accents in primary blue, red, and yellow, creating a contrast between warmth and graphic clarity. The patterned tile floor introduces repetition and depth, while shelves along the wall display prints and geometric objects that align the project with ideas of modularity and composition.
The Conceptual Framework
The project establishes this conceptual framework through a deliberate division of space and shifts away from the conventions of display, where windows are usually filled with rows of ornate cakes, and instead reduces the focus to a series of singular objects. Each pastry is positioned to be read almost as a prototype, inviting comparison with design processes rather than with culinary excess.
images by François Fonty, unless stated otherwise
The Shop’s Layout
Located on Rue des Mauvais Garçons in Paris, ABRA pastry shop is organized in two clear zones, divided into a compact retail space at the street front and a working kitchen behind the partition. Ron From and Nicolas Frances install a semicircular aperture between the two spaces that acts as both window and frame, allowing the pastries to remain visible, while the display surface directly beneath acts as a threshold between making and consuming.
Color, Material, and Process
Bauhaus and modernist references are legible in the restricted palette of primary blue, red, and yellow, which is layered against a white backdrop, warm wood cabinetry, and metal details. Geometric repetition in the patterned tiles underfoot and the framed graphics on the wall lends the room a rhythm and creates a space that feels warm and inviting but that also sparks curiosity.
Conclusion
The street view roots the project in the city, while the open lab window invites visitors to peek behind the scenes. It’s a place where one can enjoy pastries but also explore how they’re made and what they mean. ABRA is a Parisian patisserie that combines food and design, creating a unique experience for its visitors. The careful structure of the shop, the openness of the glazed facade, and the framed view of the kitchen all contribute to a space that feels warm and inviting, yet sparks curiosity. The use of primary colors, geometric repetition, and warm wood cabinetry creates a rhythm and lends the room a sense of modularity and composition. Overall, ABRA is a must-visit destination for those who appreciate the intersection of food, design, and architecture.