Space Copenhagen has completed Blueness, a new restaurant in the heart of Antwerp’s Fashion District. The second eatery the Danish design studio has crafted for chef Sergio Herman, Blueness Antwerp occupies the ground floor of a 17th-century renaissance structure transformed to balance classical flair with a modern Scandinavian aesthetic.
“More than anything this project has been shaped by a series of very intuitive processes, from our very first thoughts about the design of the restaurant, that carried through to the end result,” says Space Copenhagen cofounder Signe Bindslev Henriksen. “The design process has been fueled by the fragmented history of the 17th-century renaissance building and the ongoing dialogue between the team and the commissioned artists who are central to the final design.”
Much like the French and Japanese influence on the cuisine, the interior design concept is defined by duality, offering guests a buzzy open kitchen to observe from a custom bar made of deep red walnut wood to tranquil, candlelit intimacy in the main dining room. High ceilings arch above columns with carved, decorative elements in sandstone and marble, while elaborate metalwork frames portals and windows throughout the space.
Subtle tones of natural wood, stone, brass, and linen comprise the dining room’s dreamy ambiance beneath bespoke brass light fixtures crafted by artist Valentin Loellmann. Soft benches upholstered in warm rose fabric are paired with bespoke light oak tables for a dose of Scandinavian comfort and simplicity, while dining chairs are wrapped in sandy-hued canvas and dark oak stools are installed before the bar. Four custom artworks from Latvian designer Germans Ermičs further elevate the drama of Blueness, with the largest piece transforming the main staircase into an immersive journey through copper cladding that changes from dark to light tones as guests descend. Bespoke tatami drapes by Dutch artist Mae Engelgeer also adorn windows with a muted balance.
“The design of Blueness celebrates a sensuous and eclectic atmosphere that invites its guest on an appetizing and playful journey fueled by surprise and expectation,” adds Space Copenhagen cofounder Peter Bundgaard Rützou. “Japanese influences blend eclectically with a classic French approach to the cuisine, and the classic architecture is complemented by insertions of a modern and restrained Nordic character with unexpected esoteric futuristic elements to define its design language. Blueness Antwerp offers the unexpected that carries you into a dreamy fulfillment of sense and space.”
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