The Castile y León region in Northern Spain was the design inspiration for the fifth Camino site in Shoreditch.
This region is characterised by its strong colour contrasts; dark greenery and dusty pink stones, warm wood tones and unglazed terracotta tiles, weathered walls and vibrant pops of red and mustard colours – which we brought together to create a warm, welcoming and relaxed environment.
We worked closely with Richard Bigg, who was inspired to create Camino after a life-changing road trip all over Spain in the ‘80s. Many unique bric-a-brac items in the design have been picked up on his travels around the country from street markets and antique shops.
Housed in new East London development Principal Place, Camino is a 75-cover tapas bar and 70-cover restaurant.
Upon entering, the bar dominates on the left and features illuminated vintage Spanish posters behind shelving which were designed by the B3 branding team.
The bar front is made from thin strips of oak with metal straps, resembling deconstructed barrels, and topped with a glass counter made from recycled wine bottles.
The bars surrounding table tops are also made from the reclaimed surface. The bar is lit by bespoke lights designed as metal cages holding an eclectic range of bottles.
In the restaurant, we curated warmth in the rustic choice of colours and finishes; brown leather chairs with steel frames, dark wooden tables, deep red and mustard banquettes and intimate booths. The furniture is framed by distressed terracotta-painted walls and rows of salvaged doors. The doors cleverly divide the restaurant from the tapas bar.
A combination of exposed lightbulbs, wall lights, lantern-style and delicate grape-shaped light fittings work to create a cosy atmosphere and balance out the concrete resin floor.
Three specially-commissioned traditional tiled murals designed by our branding team adorn the walls. One of the murals is a fitting tribute to Bigg’s mode of transport on his first fateful Spanish adventure decades ago – his black Mini.
'B3 are a superb combination of creativity and pragmatism. They analysed the brief, really listened and investigated the concept so they could deliver a proper well thought out solution that matched or exceeded our expectations. The result is both practical and beautiful - what more can you ask?'
Richard Bigg – Managing Director, Camino