Untreated raw earth and locally sourced wood for Krume Bäcker, Panama City

Designed by the Panamanian firm Mallol Arquitectos, Krume Bäcker is a recently built bakery located in Costa del Este, Panama City, which combines architectural clarity and environmental responsibility in a 193-square-meter space. The design is inspired by the brand’s Austrian origins, reinterpreting values such as simplicity, quality, and tradition in light of contemporary needs and the city’s urban context.

One of the project’s most distinctive elements is the use of rammed earth in the construction of the counter and internal walls. The technique, developed and applied by the Aparato collective, uses untreated, locally sourced raw earth, without resorting to energy-intensive industrial processes. In addition to significantly reducing the environmental impact, this traditional construction method ensures thermal stability, acoustic insulation, and a vibrant materiality that reinforces the identity of the space. The entire process was carried out in synergy with local artisans, fostering not only community involvement but also the transmission of ancestral construction knowledge.

The furnishings are also the result of a conscious supply chain: custom-designed by the Mallol Lifestyle Studio and produced by The Alma Studio, they were constructed using native hardwoods salvaged from the Bayano reservoir, where they have lain submerged for decades following the creation of the artificial lake. The recovery of these materials represents a sustainable alternative to conventional logging: the extraction is managed using low-impact environmental techniques and in collaboration with the Guna Madugandí indigenous community, respecting the ecological balance of the territory. After recovery, the wood undergoes slow kiln-drying, a process that ensures its stability and durability. The resulting tables, seating, and service elements enrich the space with warmth, texture, and authenticity, maintaining a tangible trace of the Panama City landscape.

The organization of the interior spaces is designed to adapt to a plurality of uses, from brief stops to more extended moments. The fluid and intuitive layout includes flexible seating configurations, suitable for both individuals and small groups. The neutral palette, clean lines, and use of natural materials contribute to generating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The lighting, discreet and functional, is focused on the central element of the project: the bread, highlighted in its daily simplicity.

In every choice, from the spatial design to the selection of materials, Krume Bäcker positions itself as a model of sustainable and responsible design, capable of integrating environmental practices and social involvement without sacrificing aesthetic quality or operational efficiency. A virtuous example of how commercial interiors can also embrace an ethical and lasting vision, deeply rooted in the territory where they originate.