Pink Salt Table, Oak Furniture, and Steel Accents in a Restaurant with Bold Contrasting Rooms

Having received the order to reconstruct the Beef Club restaurant, located in the Volkswagen office campus, the Berlin-based architectural practice Ester Bruzkus Architekten thought about the vector of the future interior. The starting point for the visual concept was the new name of the establishment — Fire & Salt. The mix of white and beige shades refers to the image of salt caves, and the dark tones of the open kitchen and red accents of the back room refer to the element of fire. The designers inscribed these elements into the modern style of the space and complemented them with large volumes of stainless steel.

Location: Wolfsburg

Authors: Architectural practice Ester Bruzkus Architekten

Area: 345 m2 Photo: Pion Studio

The first point of attraction of the restaurant is the open grill. It is partially built into a niche and separated by an island with facades made of ceramic tiles. The set installed on the podium is assembled from straight lines that create a contrast with the unevenness of the cabinet made of a piece of pink salt. The similarity with the textbook image of the hearth of the stove is created by a mix of three types of fired brick, glazed and unglazed. Due to its elevation, it serves as a compositional center, visible from anywhere in the hall. The earthy color scheme organically unites parts of the establishment with different atmospheres: the light and airy one is located near the windows, and the dark one is behind the bar. The first is distinguished by the painting of the walls and ceiling in a warm light green shade. It is reflected in the steel volumes of the lamps above the seating area: these structures resemble large hoods. The theme of natural materials is continued here by oak furniture. Communal tables and benches are oriented to two sides. The designers brought out dining groups for companies to the second hall. This block is designed in warm terracotta tones, creating a quieter location. The usual furniture here is replaced by round modular sofas with high backs. The combination of a lively front area with a quieter private area makes the Ester Bruzkus Architekten project a bright, but comfortable public space.