Project 2 // 2020Bellies, StavangerRestaurant design
Bellies restaurant sits wihin the former canning factory building near the water on the edge of the city of Stavanger. The Cohousing development Vindmøllebakken sits as neighbour to the restaurant, now occupying the rest of the former industrial site. The brief was to create an immersive fine dining experience that echoed the earthy, complex flavours created within the kitchen and the wood-fired oven of the vegan restaurant.

The brickwork of the interior together with some of the remnants of former services and finishes were left exposed, creating a richly textured and raw backdrop to the space. Existing structural steel posts and beams, new window frames, front door and hanging planter cases were all treated in the same warm red brown tone. The new rear wall, housing services and toilets is clad with stained plywood panels, the same material used for the dining tables and the bar. The pattern and grain of the timber is celebrated and expressed, in the same manner as the natural patterns inside the vegetables are revealed and enjoyed on the diners’ plates.  The offcuts from the tables cut-outs are re-imagined and re-used to create a suspended ‘stomach’ that greets guests on entering. The ‘stomach’ is lined on one side with the fermented, pickled and preserved goods, forage by the chefs, with a hanging rail for guests coats and jackets on the reverse.

On a dark, wet evening in the depths of a Norwegian winter,  the interior of Bellies restaurant  emits a warm, soft glowing light, welcoming diners in off the rain drenched streets of Stavanger.

Project was carried out at Helen & Hard Arkiteker.  

Stages:
Client brief definition, Concept Design, Detailed technical design and on-site realistion


Photography:
Sindre Ellingsen
est. 2015Cornwall - Cumbria // UK & Europeisobel@eastcottstudio.co.uk // 07596 151 709