Dezeen Magazine

Norm Architects puts a Danish spin on an Italian restaurant interior

Danish studio Norm Architects has pared back the look of a typical Mediterranean interior to create a more Scandinavian aesthetic for this Italian restaurant in Copenhagen.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

Norm Architects designed the interior for the first in the Italy chain of restaurants run by the owners of Cofoco, a bistro in the Vesterbro area of the city.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

"We are embracing the Italian mindset," said Norm's Linda Korndal. "The atmosphere is warm, inviting, full of life and joy but we have translated it into interior motives that Danes can relate to."

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

The restaurant's dining area is divided into two main spaces. The first runs along the glazed facade of the building, and features small hexagonal black and white tiles across the floor.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

Set back in an area of the building that receives less natural light, raised wooden flooring defines a second space with tables for larger parties.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

The wood used to create the bar located within a tiled corridor is left untreated to allow the water marks from drinks to build up and pattern its surface.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

Teal upholstery covers bench and seat cushions, and the same colour has been painted onto partition walls that separate a series of booths where seating is finished with tan-coloured leather.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

"In our Scandinavian climate the cosy feeling is very important," said Korndal. "Many authentic Italian restaurants in Italy are often simple and crisp."

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

A shop selling ingredients and pre-made sauce mixtures is located at one end of the space, a small step up from the rest of the tiled floor.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

The products are displayed within a large shelving unit or on podiums, all made from the same light-coloured wood used to build the service counter.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

As Norm's co-founders Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn are also creative directors for Menu, many of the Danish brand's furniture and lighting designs are used throughout the interior.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

These include white chairs and stools with spindly legs by Afteroom, and brass Franklin Chandeliers by Søren Rose Studio that hang in the booths.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

Potted plants dotted around the space soften the contrast between the teal seating and the pale yellow walls.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

The studio developed four "spatial archetypes" as part of the design to ensure the restaurant's aesthetic can be translated at the chain's upcoming branches.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects

The niche, the passage, the courtyard and the dining room all follow similar colour and material palettes, but each uses a different layout to make the most of contextual restraints.

Photography is by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects.

Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects
Floor plan – click for larger image
Italy Cofoco by Norm Architects
Section – click for larger image