Madrid-based ZOOCO ESTUDIO has reimagined the everyday bakery with El Horno de Babette, a project that challenges traditional concepts of retail spaces by merging them with domestic and communal environments. The result is a trio of innovative spaces in Madrid that blur the lines between a functional bakery and the warmth of a home, inviting customers to engage with the space and products in new and unexpected ways.
Babette’s Oven as a Dining Room
At the General Díaz Porlier 34 location, ZOOCO ESTUDIO introduces a dining-room-inspired layout centered around a solid oak table. This communal centerpiece transforms the act of bread selection into a shared, interactive experience. The use of natural materials such as wood, textiles, and glass, paired with warm, focal lighting, lends the space a cozy, domestic feel far removed from the typical retail aesthetic. Customers are encouraged to explore the offerings, fostering a deeper connection with the artisanal products on display.
Babette’s Oven as a Workroom
In the bakery at Orellana 16, ZOOCO ESTUDIO adopts the concept of an industrial workroom. A central wooden table again anchors the design, showcasing an array of breads, while metal screens along the walls serve as functional exhibition and work surfaces. Materials like metal profiles, microcement, terrazzo, and glass create an industrial yet approachable atmosphere, softened by warm lighting. The combination achieves a balance between utility and comfort, bridging the gap between a workspace and a welcoming retail environment.
Babette’s Oven as a Kitchen
Paseo de la Habana 52 location embodies the essence of a kitchen, featuring a central round wooden table set atop a ceramic-tiled carpet. This tiled motif extends to the walls, tying the space together with a cohesive and striking visual language. Additional materials like microcement and sprayed cement create texture and depth, while mirrored finishes on furniture doors and the table’s central leg amplify the sense of spaciousness and light. This design approach transforms the space into a warm, inviting setting where the simplicity of a kitchen meets the artistry of baking.
A Shared Vision
Across all three locations, ZOOCO ESTUDIO emphasizes a break from the hierarchical structure of traditional bakeries. The designs remove the barriers between public and private spaces, allowing customers to fully immerse themselves in the bakery environment. Each store’s design is tailored to evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort, inviting patrons to not only purchase bread but to experience the craft and care behind it.
Team and Collaboration
The project is a strong showcase to the creative vision of ZOOCO ESTUDIO, led by Miguel Crespo Picot, Javier Guzmán Benito, and Sixto Martín Martínez, with contributions from Maria Larriba and Marta Borrás. The lighting and custom furniture were also designed in-house, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic that ties together all three locations. The photography by David Zarzoso captures the transformative essence of these spaces, offering a glimpse into ZOOCO ESTUDIO’s innovative approach to redefining everyday experiences.
Discover more of the project in our gallery:
Through El Horno de Babette, ZOOCO ESTUDIO has elevated the bakery from a simple retail outlet to a place of warmth, connection, and artistry—turning the mundane act of buying bread into a thoughtfully curated journey.
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