Esmée Restaurant
Space Copenhagen completed Esmée in a way that pays homage to the essence of Classic French brasserie and cuisine, but with a modern interpretation for its Copenhagen visitors.
Danish design studio Space Copenhagen has designed the interiors of Esmée, a new restaurant located at the beautiful “Kings Square” in the heart of Copenhagen, near the Royal Danish Theatre and Charlottenborg Palace.
Simultaneously elegant, fun, comfortable and unpretentious, the atmosphere aspires to dreamy, vibrant and buzzing nights out. This is the second time Space Copenhagen has brought their design expertise to the Kongens Nytorv space, having designed the much-acclaimed restaurant Geist in 2011.
With Esmée, Space Copenhagen has conceived a space that reflects a sense of optimism and playfulness and seeks to celebrate the joys of social interaction to mark the reopening of Denmark’s hospitality industry, following the challenges presented over the past year. For Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou, founders of Space Copenhagen, using design to fuse together a blend of contemporary yet rustic influences to create a timeless and approachable culinary destination in the heart of Copenhagen was paramount. Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean, Space Copenhagen’s design offers a nostalgic nod to Southern European dining and is echoed throughout the interiors.
The refined variety between the main areas allows the space to evolve seamlessly throughout the day, offering an elegant yet playful destination for socialising. Starting as a relaxed morning coffee spot, the restaurant then becomes the perfect place for a light casual business lunch or catching up with friends. Later in the day, Esmée becomes a destination for early evening cocktails, followed by an exquisite dinner from the kitchen of acclaimed Chef Andreas Bagh. Inspired by La Belle Époque in France, the restaurant will serve an à la carte menu rooted in classic French dishes with a Nordic touch.
Throughout Esmée, Space Copenhagen has utilised the beautiful Fly Light designed by Pierre Chareau in the 1920s and reissued by Galerie MCDE. Rather than utilising conventional shades, these pieces are composed from alabaster panels in sculpted, geometric shapes that shed light in soft hues. In addition to Fly, space has also used Fly Gaby, a reinterpretation of Chareau’s design by Hauvette & Madan.
Space Copenhagen has collaborated with Studio Oliver Gustav on the indoor planting scheme and on the sourcing of a dramatic Italian cabinet and a selection of decorative items deployed throughout the space.
Design: Space Copenhagen
Photography: wichmann+bendtsen
