Coral is a restaurant located in a picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos, in Madeira Island. When we made the project for an urban renewal of the area, some buildings had to be removed and the old restaurant was demolished and replaced by a new one in the same spot. The new building accommodates other activities but it was designed having this restaurant in mind.

The site is on the seafront with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding cliffs and mountains. You can also watch fabulous sunsets. The restaurant has two floors, one terrace and one large balcony. The terrace is by the entrance floor in the piazza, and the balcony is on the second floor.

The interior of the restaurant is in black and white – black granite on the floors, and white marble, plaster and paint on the walls. The colour scheme matches the deep seawater black scabbard fish, Madeira's most known capture. Under its shinny black skin, you find a delicate and delicious white meat.

The space inside is open and fluid and the large windows let the sea be always present. An open staircase connecting the ground floor to the first floor creates a void which allows the visitor to look up at the silver ceiling. The reflections made by its irregular pleated surface give the impression of being underwater.

Wall size photographs portraying the village history and its profound relationship with the sea, were taken by a local photographer in the nineteen sixties, bringing the local culture and atmosphere to the restaurant.