Architectural practice XXXI.studio has unveiled Lupita's newest Lisbon location, a pizza restaurant in Alvalade, Portugal, that transforms traditional restaurant design through radical openness and industrial aesthetics. The new establishment represents a bold architectural experiment that positions pizza-making as both the primary spatial organizer and visual centerpiece of the entire dining experience.
The restaurant's most striking feature is its fully open facade, which completely exposes the interior operations directly to the street and treats the food preparation process as a continuous, public-facing performance. This design decision eliminates conventional boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, creating an unprecedented level of transparency that allows passersby to witness every aspect of the culinary workflow. By removing traditional signage and dissolving the typical restaurant storefront, the space distinguishes itself dramatically from neighboring commercial establishments.
XXXI.studio's design strategy prioritizes environmental sustainability through preservation and adaptability principles. The architects maintained existing architectural features wherever possible, and when original elements were absent, they introduced carefully considered new interventions that simulate the presence of historical layers. This thoughtful approach supports long-term ecological goals by ensuring the space can accommodate future tenants without requiring major structural modifications, with the restaurant's unique identity instead defined through movable elements and specialized equipment.
The design brief centered on accommodating high-volume pizza production while creating an engaging customer environment. The strategic acquisition of an adjacent unit enabled the creation of a dedicated pre-production and storage facility, allowing the main dining space to function exclusively as a customer-oriented environment. This separation of functions ensures smooth operations during peak hours while maintaining the theatrical aspect of pizza preparation that customers can observe.
Inside the restaurant, the layout embraces intentional minimalism through strategic material choices and spatial organization. Stainless steel counters serve as the primary organizing elements, defining both workflow patterns and circulation sequences throughout the space. The reflective surfaces create dynamic visual interactions with natural light while reinforcing the industrial aesthetic that characterizes the brand's identity. Seating remains deliberately limited, with stainless steel tables and stools positioned exclusively along the exterior edge to maintain direct visual and spatial connections between staff and visitors.
The full-height opening along the street front reinforces XXXI.studio's core principle of maximizing transparency and community engagement. This dramatic architectural gesture transforms the restaurant into a kind of urban theater where the art of pizza-making becomes entertainment for both diners and pedestrians. The approach challenges conventional restaurant design by prioritizing process visibility over traditional comfort or privacy considerations.
The completed project serves as a compelling case study in how thoughtful architectural decisions can simultaneously support intensive food service operations while establishing a clear and memorable brand identity. XXXI.studio's design demonstrates that commercial spaces can contribute meaningfully to urban street life through transparency and authentic engagement with their surrounding communities, creating a new model for restaurant design that prioritizes connection over separation.
