BARR restaurant – Photo: courtesy of Snøhetta
Food – Oak floors, crafted furnitures and wooden details. Snøhetta designed the interiors and the graphic identity of the brand new Barr restaurant of noma group in Copenhagen. Inspired by food and drink traditions from the Nordic sea as, the Norwegian-American studio teamed with acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs Thorsten Schmidt and René Redzepi to welcomes foodies in a warm and casual interior design defined by wooden rough textures and an earthy color palette.
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Located in North Atlantic House – Nordatlantens Brygge – the Barr restaurant, barley in English, occupies the former home of the world-renowned restaurant noma.
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“We looked to microscopic studies of foods and beer from the region, which influenced everything from the color palette to the furniture.” Says to Archipanic Peter Girgis, Senior Interior Architect, Snøhetta.
Throughout the restaurant, the design is driven by a strong duality and juxtaposition of the old and the new. When entering the restaurant, guests are met with a warm oak floor, contrasting with the rough texture of the original stone walls. A massive, carved wooden counter stretching from one room to the other anchors the space.
The ceiling is alternately composed of the original ceiling beams and new, sculpted wooden planks, which are embedded with brass details that reflect micro spots of light. Raw materials – wood, leather and wool – evoke the restaurant’s Northern influence
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Local techniques and locally sourced materials played an essential part in the restaurant’s design. Most of the oak used for furniture and interior was harvested from trees grown less than fifty kilometres from Barr’s doorstep.
The restaurant’s furniture was created by Malte Gormsen using traditional Danish craftsmanship and carpentry. The bar counters are CNC-milled oak. The relief pattern of the ceiling and wall panels are inspired by the microscopic view of barley, one of the three main ingredients in beer making.
“Designing within the context of a listed building meant that we needed to understand the space carefully,” commented Peter Girgis. “Reflecting Thorsten’s overarching vision for Barr, we believe we have created a feeling of formal informality. Together we have created new components, including custom furniture and cabinetry, which enhance Barr’s identity and philosophy, while at the same time providing a connection to the original noma space.”
Barr menu reflects Schmidt’s fascination with the region’s food and drink history and culture. Classic dishes such as frikadeller – Danish meatballs, schnitzel and hot-smoked salmon will be offered alongside a large selection of craft beers and aquavits.
All photos: courtesy of Snøhetta.
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