Copenhagen, Denmark / 2022
Interior
Levi
Combining elements of Japanese design and modern Milanese architecture, the restaurant design incorporates natural, genuine materials, introducing poetic detail and timeless grandeur into the dining room. Built around connections to nature and the great divine; the space is shaped around inviting guests into an effervescent universe of indulgence and tactile joy.
project overview
| Location | Ny Østergade 24, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Year | 2022 |
| Status | Built |
| Client | Copenhagen Concepts |
| Creative Director | Johannes Torpe |
|
Senior Architect / Project Leader | Suguru Kobayashi |
| Design Team | Magdalena Kotfis, Ariana Szmedra, Aibolot Makenov, Silke Xenia Juul, Francesca Olive Montrabeta, Jacob Alm Andersson |
| Area | 250 m2 |
| Services | Interior Design, Furniture Design, Graphic Design, Branding |
| Materials | Terrazzo floor with aluminum liners, Kvadrat acoustic panels for walls and ceiling, larch wooden cladding for columns and beams, larch wooden custom furniture, chromed metal for custom lamps and furniture details, Kvadrat fabric for chairs and upholstery, ribbed glass partitions, plaster paint, green marble countertops. |
| Suppliers | Moroso, Kvadrat, Leucos, XAL |
| Additional Credits |
Construction management in collaboration with SDCON
Building consultant by NT Consulting
Construction by Hans Henning Nielsen
Lighting consultant by Sensa and NOPA CONSULT
Lighting supply by anker & co
Terrazzo floor by Holbæk Terrazzo |
| Photo Credits | Alastair Philip Wiper |
| Video Credits | DONNA media |
| High res press downloads |
design concept
Reminiscent of 1930’s Milan, while at the same time honouring Danish and Japanese aesthetics, Levi balances between different yet overlapping traditions. From a Japanese design heritage, the clean wooden framework was created to bring depth to the dining room through simple and authentic design. Another conceptual pillar is the Italian design tradition of bold colours and shapes, making room for passion. Rich materials and saturated senses formed the foundation for design details, such as the marble and chrome bar elements and the contemporary interpretation of a classic Italian terrazzo floor.
It was crucial that visiting Levi would not be an amputated experience of Japanese and Italian confusion, but rather a carefully curated amalgamation of influences, creating a new context in both space and cuisine, where the ephemeral and the sensuous compliment one another.
“We wanted the bar to be an eye-catching element with storytelling to Old Milan,” Torpe describes the inspiration behind the expression of the bar as a resounding “Ta-da!”
– a welcoming of guests into the restaurant.
Design Details
The custom designed seating is elegantly oriented; inviting intimacy and breathing room, while allowing for engagement in the restaurant atmosphere. The custom seating, as well as the ‘Precious’ chairs designed by Johannes Torpe for Italian Moroso, are upholstered in a deep moss green wool fabric from Danish textile company Kvadrat, bringing together Danish design and Italian craftsmanship.
“The space is shaped around inviting guests into an effervescent universe of indulgence and tactile joy.”
Romano Levi
Legendary Distillery Romano Levi, which also gives name to the restaurant, is known as one of the best grappa makers in the world, and a key feature in their universe is the hand-painted labels. The illustrations bring a sense of freedom, artistry, and playfulness to an otherwise traditional industry. This sense of ease and play has been incorporated into the core concept of Levi–from bespoke sofas to the terrazzo floor details to lighting.
The journey to the bathrooms leads the guest into a pure monochromatic immersion of warm peachy tones, contrasting the nuanced materiality of the dining room and creating a complex and complete guest experience.
