Studio Cadena's Masa Cafe in Medellín Features 31 Towering Wooden Columns

Brooklyn-based architecture firm Studio Cadena has completed the interior of the Masa cafe in Medellín, Colombia, characterized by 31 towering plywood columns that create a forest-like atmosphere within a six-meter-tall concrete shell. The columns, which are not load-bearing, are arranged throughout the main dining area to structure movement, filter light, and produce a layered spatial experience without walls or partitions. Founder Benjamin Cadena explained that the repetitive use of a single element was intended to shape the atmosphere, stating, "One move, repeated, does all the architectural work." The design employs a restrained material palette: untreated pine-faced plywood for the columns, a marble counter, stainless steel details, and exposed concrete left as a "raw shell." Cadena emphasized that the choice of materials was resourceful and aimed at reducing the design to essential elements, with texture prioritized over color. The cafe opens onto a green outdoor space, and a circular window at the back offers a view into the production area. The project was photographed by Juan Camilo Roa. Studio Cadena previously designed Masa's bakery in Bogotá, and the new cafe continues the firm's exploration of pared-back, material-driven interiors.