With its second location, Madrid-based specialty coffee brand Acid Café settles into Berlin—this time in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, in a space designed by Studio Plantea.
The café occupies a prominent corner overlooking Teutoburger Platz, just steps from the former industrial complex now home to the studios of Ai Weiwei and Olafur Eliasson.
The interior unfolds within a geometrically ordered and materially restrained ground-floor unit—exposed concrete walls, galvanized steel shutters, and natural aluminum framing. While the space offered clarity and rhythm, it lacked the softness and character needed for Acid’s distinct identity. Studio Plantea responded with a series of thoughtful interventions that introduced texture, warmth, and acoustic depth—without disrupting the architectural coherence.
At the core of the design is a large chestnut wood structure that encloses the staircase to the basement, supports shelving for bread and equipment, and anchors a pair of prominent wooden speakers that define the café’s ambient atmosphere. This warm, sculptural backdrop sets the tone for the rest of the space.
In contrast, a monolithic counter in stainless steel and granite houses the coffee and pastry service—its muted palette echoing the concrete surroundings and allowing the wood and curated details to take visual precedence.
Toward the façade, seating elements—a large bench, chestnut stools, and minimal steel tables—interact subtly with the raw materials of the envelope. Near the entrance, a square display table in wood and stainless steel is lit by a delicate cable-and-fabric lamp by Ingo Maurer. Along the window line, Frama’s wooden chairs with textile webbing are paired with ceramic pendant lights by Wendy Taylor, adding softness and tactility to the minimal setting.
A shelving unit in steel and linen by Frama displays a selection of curated objects and artwork, including a striking black ceramic piece by Raúl Mouro—crafted from a mix of commercial stoneware and Asturian earth.
Studio Plantea’s interior enriches the minimalist, detail-driven spirit of the building—originally designed by Pysall Architekten—with layered textures, warmth, and a sense of place. Acid Café P-BERG becomes not just a space for coffee, but a quietly expressive retreat at the edge of the square.
