The commission, awarded through a private architectural competition, involved the remodeling of a two-story heritage house located in the Bellavista trendy neighborhood to accommodate a new bar-restaurant program.
The clients wished to preserve the aged character of the original house, while also updating its infrastructure to meet the technical and spatial standards required for a high-end culinary establishment.
The architectural proposal retains the original masonry perimeter shell, while the interior was completely emptied—removing most non-structural partitions—to create a more open and integrated layout. On the ground floor, a large central bar defines the main gesture of the restaurant program. The upper floor was left completely open to allow for a flexible and informal dining environment.
From the street, the building’s residential character within the neighborhood is emphasized by the removal of perimeter fences at the property line. The façade was carefully restored, highlighting its original exposed masonry, while a central glazed opening was introduced to clearly define the entrance. The balcony was reconstructed using a distinct language and materiality, signaling the new architectural intervention.
The tension between historical preservation and contemporary contrast creates a dialogue that values the coexistence of both. Through material choices and spatial atmospheres, the project evokes the scenographic world of theater and performance.
Project Name: Amorío Restaurant
Architects: Albert Tidy, Miguel Alemparte
Collaborator: Nicolás Alemparte
Client: Benjamín Vicuña, Gonzalo Valenzuela, Gustavo Page
Technical Consultants
Structural Engineering: Santiago Arias
Construction: Ismael Rengifo (IRL Construction)
Custom Furniture: Pablo Riquelme (La Fábrica)
Location: Constitución 191, Bellavista, Providencia, Santiago
Built Area: 350 m²
Design Year: 2005
Construction Period: 2005–2006
Primary Materials: Masonry, steel, glass
Photography: Sebastián Sepúlveda