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Senzi Cafe
Senzi Cafe
Lisbon, Portugal
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Senzi Cafe
Lisbon, Portugal
Firm
Type
STATUS
Under Construction
YEAR
2026
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
Located on Rua da Moeda in Cais do Sodre, one of Lisbon’s most active central districts, Senzi sits within walking distance of the riverfront and Time Out Market – one of the hotspots of Lisbon's evolving food culture.
Senzi is a compact brunch cafe of approximately 90 square meters, lit by multiple small, high-set windows facing north and a large, nearly panoramic main entrance oriented to the east. The space operates from morning to late afternoon and is centered around coffee and matcha culture.
The interior is structured around a continuous grid of wooden planks that frames walls, openings, and built-in elements. This linear system subtly references traditional Japanese timber frameworks while remaining abstract and architectural rather than literal. The floor, composed of large, concrete-like tiles, introduces a slightly exterior character, giving the space a sense of urban continuity rather than domestic enclosure.
At the core of the layout stands an open counter where coffee and matcha are prepared. A double-sided bar cuts through toward the kitchen, with one working surface facing the dining area and the other extending inward. This configuration concentrates movement within the center of the space, allowing preparation, service, and interaction to unfold as a single, visible process.
The kitchen was expanded to its maximum possible size without relocating technical cores. It remains partially visible through textured glass, creating a layered threshold between preparation and dining. Inside, blue recycled tiles add a subtle chromatic accent and refract light throughout the space.
Built-in benches run along both sides of the room, creating generous seating, while a central communal zone remains flexible. At the heart of the space stands a contact bar and a custom chandelier — a spatial anchor that structures the room without dominating it.
Given the northern orientation and limited direct sunlight, light became a primary design tool. The palette was shifted toward lighter tones, and reflective surfaces were introduced to amplify daylight. Mirrors extend the perceived depth of the space and enhance its brightness, allowing the relatively small footprint to feel open and breathable. The lighting strategy also references the Japanese concept of komorebi (木漏れ日) — light filtered through foliage — a subtle, shifting interplay of shadow and reflection that softens the interior and introduces a sense of natural gradation throughout the day.
Materially, the project balances Japanese references with Portuguese context. Reclaimed Portuguese tiles were introduced alongside cork — both materials deeply rooted in the local landscape. All custom furniture and framing elements — from the bar and benches to the ceiling cladding and wall grid — were produced from solid Portuguese pine, creating a unified material framework throughout the interior.
A collaboration with Lisbon-based Ukrainian artist Bombony became a defining element of the project. Instead of decorative lightboxes, a series of large-scale geometric canvases was developed and integrated into the upper part of the wall grid. This shift also helped move the project away from overt Japonism and toward a more contemporary, contextual dialogue. Each canvas is backlit, while some also interact with natural light, introducing movement and variation across the surfaces.
Senzi is a compact brunch cafe of approximately 90 square meters, lit by multiple small, high-set windows facing north and a large, nearly panoramic main entrance oriented to the east. The space operates from morning to late afternoon and is centered around coffee and matcha culture.
The interior is structured around a continuous grid of wooden planks that frames walls, openings, and built-in elements. This linear system subtly references traditional Japanese timber frameworks while remaining abstract and architectural rather than literal. The floor, composed of large, concrete-like tiles, introduces a slightly exterior character, giving the space a sense of urban continuity rather than domestic enclosure.
At the core of the layout stands an open counter where coffee and matcha are prepared. A double-sided bar cuts through toward the kitchen, with one working surface facing the dining area and the other extending inward. This configuration concentrates movement within the center of the space, allowing preparation, service, and interaction to unfold as a single, visible process.
The kitchen was expanded to its maximum possible size without relocating technical cores. It remains partially visible through textured glass, creating a layered threshold between preparation and dining. Inside, blue recycled tiles add a subtle chromatic accent and refract light throughout the space.
Built-in benches run along both sides of the room, creating generous seating, while a central communal zone remains flexible. At the heart of the space stands a contact bar and a custom chandelier — a spatial anchor that structures the room without dominating it.
Given the northern orientation and limited direct sunlight, light became a primary design tool. The palette was shifted toward lighter tones, and reflective surfaces were introduced to amplify daylight. Mirrors extend the perceived depth of the space and enhance its brightness, allowing the relatively small footprint to feel open and breathable. The lighting strategy also references the Japanese concept of komorebi (木漏れ日) — light filtered through foliage — a subtle, shifting interplay of shadow and reflection that softens the interior and introduces a sense of natural gradation throughout the day.
Materially, the project balances Japanese references with Portuguese context. Reclaimed Portuguese tiles were introduced alongside cork — both materials deeply rooted in the local landscape. All custom furniture and framing elements — from the bar and benches to the ceiling cladding and wall grid — were produced from solid Portuguese pine, creating a unified material framework throughout the interior.
A collaboration with Lisbon-based Ukrainian artist Bombony became a defining element of the project. Instead of decorative lightboxes, a series of large-scale geometric canvases was developed and integrated into the upper part of the wall grid. This shift also helped move the project away from overt Japonism and toward a more contemporary, contextual dialogue. Each canvas is backlit, while some also interact with natural light, introducing movement and variation across the surfaces.
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