The upscale Swedish restaurant Aquavit has returned to Midtown Manhattan following a redesign from locally based practice Spacesmith. The newly reinvigorated space retained much a good portion of its original material palette, while diversifying its layout to increase intimacy and modernizing its infrastructure.
The redesign increases warmth with a new palette and lighting scheme, highlighting a range of earthen materials. The reconfigured dining room is supported by an undulating, wood-slatted dropped ceiling that organically links the dining room to the bar and lounge. Raw, wide-planked oak lines the floors along with neutral fabrics complementing the classic Northern European materiality. A new transparent glass partition divides the dining room from the kitchen to reinforce the contemporary new look. Beyond the main room and dual private dining rooms, a 12-seat chef’s table and expanded seating and tables populate the bar and lounge as well.
