Marco Barend Stander
Nacre
A Queer Space for Protection and Belonging
Nacre is a hidden queer restaurant and performance space in Newmarket, exploring themes of protection, vulnerability and belonging. Inspired by a discarded crab leg discovered during an initial site visit, the project draws upon the relationship between a hard, protective shell and the softer, more vulnerable interior it conceals.
Drawing on this contrast, Nacre presents a restrained exterior that gives way to a theatrical, expressive interior. Sculptural forms, soft pink tones, handmade details and intimate lighting create an atmosphere that feels both protective and celebratory. An intimate cocktail bar, restaurant and performance space create opportunities for meaningful connection within an environment that celebrates queer identity and expression.
In a world where queer visibility can invite hostility, concealment becomes an act of care. Nacre explores how spatial design can provide protection without compromising expression, creating a space where queer communities can gather, celebrate and belong on their own terms.
Nacre is a hidden queer restaurant and performance space at 302 Broadway, Newmarket, exploring protection, vulnerability and belonging. Inspired by a discarded crab leg discovered during an initial site visit to Nuffield Lane, the project draws upon the relationship between a hard, protective shell and the softer, vulnerable interior it conceals.
Facing Broadway, GRIT Café acts as Nacre’s protective exterior, its brutalist identity concealing the space beyond. A discreet ‘quiet door’, marked by a custom brass handle, leads visitors through an arched corridor lined with handmade tiles. Inside, a sculptural pendant with illuminated pink tassels guides guests towards an intimate cocktail bar, dining areas and a theatrical performance space.
In a world where queer visibility can invite hostility, concealment becomes an act of care. Nacre reimagines the hidden entrance as a means of protection, creating a space where queer communities can gather, celebrate and experience belonging on their own terms.
