Local Roots, Global Flavors: How BuroMuro Helped Bar Bao Enhance Their Identity with Art

The client __ Bar Bao is a bao restaurant located in the heart of Mechelen. Their strong connection to their hometown and passion for Gua bao, the delicious steamed buns they discovered on their travels, is at the core of their unique identity. Bar Bao’s mission is to offer a culinary experience that is high in quality, affordable, and accessible. Their concept is rooted in serving authentic, flavorful dishes inspired by international cuisines, with a local twist that makes it feel familiar and close to home.BuroMuro's own studio is also located in Mechelen, which immediately created a bond. The Bar Bao team had already attended one of our exhibitions, and as a bonus, Bart is their house photographer. This shared local connection and artistic vision made BuroMuro the perfect fit to curate art for their space.

The challenge __ Like many startups, budget constraints were a factor. We sought creative solutions, such as using different framing materials and providing Bar Bao with placement plans so they could handle the installation themselves. This approach allowed them to maintain a strong artistic presence within their budget.

Out Approach __ We started the project by visiting Bar Bao’s Mechelen location to get a feel for the space and understand the atmosphere they wanted to create. After discussing their vision, we quickly developed a proposal that was aligned with their goals and brand identity. The key focus was on selecting artwork that would not only complement the restaurant’s interior but also strengthen their image through playful and colorful pieces.

For the Leuven location, which was significantly larger than the Mechelen space, we took a different approach. We built upon the existing artwork from Mechelen, carefully selecting new pieces to ensure the larger space had a cohesive and vibrant look. The challenge was to maintain the intimate and lively atmosphere of Bar Bao while adjusting to the scale of a bigger venue. We achieved this by adding bold, dynamic works that echoed the energy of the Mechelen location but still allowed Leuven to stand out on its own.