"With Cozinha Das Flores and Flôr we wanted to create an environment where guests can feel relaxed yet also connected to the vibrant energy of Porto and its inhabitants. The space encourages interaction and liveliness but most importantly it provides the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary culinary experience."

Aged stone and dark tarnished wood were the existing starting points that connect the building to its former purpose and its place in time. Building on this, the studio introduced plastered walls in earthy warm tones and a conscious use of light to enhance and saturate, including accent metals such as blackened steel and darkened brass. The 50-cover main dining room features handcrafted custom oak dining tables contrasted with CH 26 Wegner chairs and pendant lights by OCHRE.

A central element of the 250 m2 restaurant design is an open kitchen created around a fireplace that creates a connection between the guest and the local Portuguese produce being prepared. The restaurant also features an impressive, built-in wine cabinet stocked with a curated selection of both local and international wine. Constructed from Dark oak and blackened steel this bespoke piece dramatically fills the entire back wall of the restaurant. A sommelier station in natural stone collects attention in front of the cabinet.

An expansive, bespoke, soft-seated banquette perfectly frames a specially commissioned mural by the renowned Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza and hand painted by ceramic tile company, Viuva Lamego. Porto has a rich tradition for applying visual narratives onto building surfaces – narrating the stories of the city’s inhabitants and their life and history as it has unfolded. For the restaurant Space Copenhagen wanted to include a mural work that would establish a strengthening tension to the interior balance and provide a talking point and encourage curiosity. Alvaro Siza was commissioned due to his contribution to Porto life; and having him manifest this into a mural depicting his perception of the city is an asset to the interiors. The mural is a series of sketches of the musicians, illustrating the unique characters found in the streets of Porto.

Juxtaposed perfectly with the entrance of the restaurant is Flôr, designed by Space Copenhagen as an intimate space reminiscent of a late 19th century gaslight bar. Flôr is sophisticated yet relaxed and serves small sharing plates and an elaborate drinks menu. A custom horseshoe bar, with a Stone top is surrounded by high dining bar stool by Space Copenhagen for Mater and Loafer stools by &Tradition. The light above the bar acts as a chandelier as well as a practical instrument and provides a geometric element of the spatial composition.

A highlight of the space is a large-scale glass screen that fills a stone archway which frames the bar counter. Commissioned from Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis, the work allows diffused light to fill the space and allows glimpses of activity elsewhere in the building. It has illuminative qualities reminiscent of the Porto light at dusk and dawn.

Address Largo São Domingos 62, 4050-545 - Porto, Portugal

Photography Joachim Wichmann (wichmann + bendtsen photography)

Interior Design Space Copenhagen