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Le Clocher Penché
By : APPAREIL Architecture
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Accommodation, Restaurant & Bar / Restaurant ≤ 1,600 sq.ft. (≤ 500 sq. m.) : Silver Certification
Categories : Special Awards / Renovation (Before & After) : Bronze Certification
Originally an old bank dating back to 1916, the restaurant’s space was entirety redesigned. The challenge was to find a balance between the old and the new, between respect for the place’s history and the integration of contemporary elements. The restaurant’s floor and moldings are original, and the large windows let in abundant light. The resulting classical atmosphere stays true to the place’s spirit, while bringing it into the contemporary period through integrated elements of design: from light fixtures and terrazzo tables to benches. The designers aimed to keep the kitchen at the center of the restaurant, while also opening it up onto the dining room, to improve exchanges with clients and optimize the serving team’s movements. Previously near the vestibule, the bar has been moved to the back of the room, so as to facilitate movement and make it more pleasant. The idea was to create different zones and atmospheres, that renew the client’s experience according to where they are seated. At the entrance, the zone with a long, curving bench offers a more intimate and enveloping experience, while the long, right bench in the main room allows clients to enjoy a view onto the kitchen and experience the restaurant’s more animated and friendly atmosphere. The new space distances itself from the monochromatic aesthetic of the traditional bistro, and more deeply embraces its Nordic identity through its color palate.
Collaboration
Architect : APPAREIL Architecture
Photographer : Félix Michaud
