In the heart of Algarve, Portugal, where tradition and modernity beautifully collide, Studio Gameiro has reimagined the concept of dining through an evocative new restaurant space: Austa.
Drawing deeply from the region’s rich, often overlooked heritage of craftsmanship, the design of Austa is a delicate blend of natural materials, artisanal techniques, and contemporary design principles. It’s an intimate exploration of the Algarve’s geological and cultural landscape.
The restaurant’s interior is an exercise in tactile materiality. Studio Gameiro sought to create a space that feels both grounded and inviting. Soft, earthy tones dominate the walls, which are clad in lime stucco—a traditional Portuguese technique that adds warmth and texture. The design is minimalist but rich in meaning, with every material carefully selected to highlight the region’s artisanal traditions.
The most striking piece in the restaurant is the rock salt bench, crafted from salt blocks sourced from a nearby mine in Loulé, a town just a short distance away. The salt, 230 million years old and mined 230 meters underground, is transformed into a strikingly original piece of furniture. With its geometric design, the bench is a nod to the terracotta tile patterns found in local kilns.
The furniture throughout the restaurant is equally bespoke. Wooden stools inspired by traditional Portuguese café seating sit alongside aluminium chairs made by local craftsmen. Each piece is a reflection of the region’s evolving design sensibilities and artisanal skills. The bar, too, is crafted from intricately carved moleanos stone blocks, a tribute to the Algarve’s rich history of stone quarrying.
