Scenic Lighting for a Retro-Futurist Bar

A contemporary bar disguised as a traditional Focaccia Shop

Focacha, a former focaccia shop turned cocktail bar, puts lighting at the heart of its design. Architect Isern Serra led the project, designing both the interior and the lighting concept. He used ProtoPixel as the main tool to shape a retro-futurist atmosphere inspired by Barcelona’s 1960s Gauche Divine movement. With Protopixel, Serra and his team created lighting scenes that shift throughout the day, adapting to the mood and function of the space. The result is a flexible, immersive environment where light becomes part of the experience.

Images credit Protopixel, Timeout, Bar Focacha, Grup Confitería

Subtle atmospheres and bespoke designs

Protopixel gives designers the freedom to manipulate light in real-time, not just as an aesthetic layer but as an integral component of the space itself. Unlike traditional lighting systems that rely on preset configurations, Protopixel allows for precise control over each pixel of light, enabling the creation of highly bespoke, immersive environments.

The space is bold but compact: one room features a polished steel bar with modular colored elements, the other is a sunken lounge under a softly glowing dome. Both are tied together by light that shifts in tone and rhythm throughout the evening — subtle, then saturated, then almost theatrical.

Arc d’eco: an immersive light installation

Between the main rooms lies a narrow hallway that has been transformed into a space for artistic experimentation. Founder of Artec Studio and designer Maurici Ginés created a unique lighting experience with Arc d’eco, a light art installation that brings sculptural presence and perceptual depth into play. This 5x1,20 meter corridor becomes a perceptual experience, deconstructing the formality of an arch into a sequence that vibes with the rhythm of music. The piece uses light and shadow to express the artist’s distinctive visual language.

Although it has its own concept and style, it runs on the same Protopixel Platform, showing how the system can handle both integrated and independent control in one environment.

Ultimately, Protopixel has proven to be an indispensable tool in the creation of Focacha, enabling the design team to use lighting not just as decoration but as a functional and dynamic part of the experience.

#BuiltWithProtoPixel

Interior and lighting design: Isern Serra (@isernserra)
Lighting platform: Protopixel
Tunnel's concept and lighting design: Artec Studio (@arteclightstudio)
Lighting Provider: Difusiona
Videos credit: Protopixel
Images credit: Protopixel, Timeout, Bar Focacha, Grup Confitería