Located in a prime are of Helsinki with plenty of surrounding office buildings, Barden is a post-work destination in Helsinki designed by local studio Fyra. Tasked with converting a two-storey space into a distinctive restaurant and bar, the award-winning designers developed a rich and deep colour palette together with a subtle lighting scheme that results in an immersive space reminiscent of a speakeasy.
The interior concept features a main seating area set out around a large central bar. Clad in wood panels with a bright, pale hone finishing the wood wraps around the subtle curves of the bar and creates a stark contrast again the dark background. Ceramic tiles from Agrob Buchtal complement the selected material by lending additional visual depth and a lively play of colour.
The studio explored the use of the tile in different colour combinations and played in particular with the high-gloss glazes. ‘The tiles play an important part in our interior concept, as they bring life to the dark, dimly lit room,’ explains Laura Järvinen, the interior designer in charge of the project. ‘The high-gloss surface perfectly harmonizes with the soft shapes and materials we used in this bar. We also arranged the tiles in several horizontal rows and used a colour gradient to create a perfect visual link between floor and ceiling.’
A combination of old and new, a curtain-like navy backdrop with a velvet finish adds a hint of vintage theatre charm, while deep, upholstered furniture invites guests to sink in and relax. In combination with the subtle lighting, the result is an oasis-like effect for the after-work crowd.
