Make-believe Mischief at Fiii Fun House, Buenos Aires

From the moment you catch sight of the Fiii Fun House in the plush Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, you know it’s something different: The glass storefront reveals three mismatched wooden houses, specially designed for adults, children and babies.

Peaceful and Chaotic

“My premise was to create a space which would be just as comfortable for infants as for adults, with an elegant aesthetic,” says architect and designer Iris Cantante. “We had to unite those two extremes of age: The adults want peace, but the children want chaos and confusion.”

Her interior is warm and welcoming, with almost everything sculpted from local woods including Guatambu and Alamo. The window-houses feature roof shafts which allow ample light to flow through and the bar area sits inside the open metal structure of a fourth house. Clipboards with the day’s menu hang at one side to save space.

The children’s area is separated from the café proper by a wooden fence that allows parents to keep an eye on their kids but also absorbs sound with its porous properties. Cork is used on walls and floors to aid sonic insulation, as well as providing a softer landing for trips and falls—and it’s a far less slippery surface than linoleum or plastic.

A central feature is the prominence of hanging hammock-style chairs that provide a touch of fun for adults as well as kids.

“The family is the nexus that links everything,” said Fiii owner Diego Sores, a father of two who opened the café with his wife. “We wanted separation and integration at the same time.”

The Design Eye

Both owners and architect were present throughout the construction process, and they share a meticulous eye for detail. Cantante’s bespoke table design, made by local carpenters, features a sunken inner compartment for sugar packets. Even the display fridge, always stocked with a selection of sugary delights, has an elegant wooden frame.

On the ceiling, cables in varying colors fan out from just a couple of electricity points to hand-crafted “Edi” lamps, carefully chiseled from Loro blanco wood, with LED bulbs. The cable pattern resembles a child-like drawing of a spider’s web that could have been scrawled on any of the large chalkboards adorning the play area walls.

Similar boards appear in a spacious upstairs function area, which features more signature wood paneling and couches that can be assembled in different shapes depending on the event.

The Fiii concept combines function and style with a twist of childish creativity and make-believe mischief. Cantante’s design channels a playful imagination that the café owners hope will continue to thrive as more families discover a new house away from home.