Francesc Rifé Studio

Set within the ground floor of a Valencian modernist building, Chez Filete takes reduction as its starting point: a single dish, prepared with great care, and a space conceived through the same logic. From there, the project is developed without hierarchies, where materials, food and sound are given equal attention.

The restaurant occupies the ground floor of a building with a singular geometry, almost apse -like in form, which organises the interior layout. This spatial condition is expressed in the main dining area through a curved bench that optimises the use of space and, further on, through a triangular corridor where a diagonal line defines the separation between the kitchen and the bar from the public area.

The kitchen is integrated into the space through controlled openings, establishing a direct relationship with the guest without being fully exposed. The process becomes part of the atmosphere and reinforces a close, approachable experience. Despite the reduced surface area, the project is resolved through an exercise in order and integration. Behind the bar, every centimetre is used to organise tableware, glassware and service elements.

Materiality responds to a restrained attitude. Green tiles from the Fe collection, designed by Francesc Rifé Studio for Nadis, cover walls and floors through a carefully planned layout that discreetly integrates both the kitchen access door and the bathroom doors, which remain almost invisible when closed. Oak wood, applied in narrow slats, introduces rhythm and warmth while integrating storage and technical surfaces without disrupting the visual continuity of the space.

This dialogue also incorporates a small area dedicated to sound. Vinyl records and the audio system do not appear as decorative elements, but as another layer of the project. Music accompanies the experience and helps to build an atmosphere in which food and space move at the same pace. The result is a compact, urban design that remains faithful to the philosophy of the restaurant.