Barr Restaurant
A Duality of Old and New
2017
Introduction
In the former home of the world-renowned restaurant Noma, acclaimed chef and restaurateur Thorsten Schmidt in partnership with chef René Redzepi and Snøhetta have conceived a fresh approach to the iconic space.
Snøhetta has designed the interiors and new graphic identity for Barr, as well as a custom-made cutlery set in collaboration with the design brand Table Noir.
Technical details
Noma
Photos: Line Klein
Classic dishes, craft beers and aquavits
Located in North Atlantic House (Nordatlantens Brygge), Barr is a casual restaurant focused not only on the Nordics but also on the broader food and drink traditions found in the region along the North Sea; an area that spans Scandinavia, Germany, Benelux, and the British Isles.
The restaurant's name (Barr: meaning "barley" in old Norse), reflects Schmidt's fascination with the region's food and drink history and culture. Classic dishes such as frikadeller (Danish meatballs), schnitzel and hot-smoked salmon will be offered alongside a large selection of craft beers and aquavits.
Raw materials
Throughout the space, the design is driven by a strong duality and juxtaposition of the old and the new. When entering the restaurant, guests are met with a warm oak floor, contrasting with the rough texture of the original stone walls — a massive, carved wooden counter stretching from one room to the other anchors the space. The ceiling is alternately composed of the original ceiling beams and new, sculpted wooden planks, which are embedded with brass details that reflect micro spots of light. Raw materials - wood, leather and wool - evoke the restaurant’s Northern influence.
Traditional Danish craftsmanship
Local techniques and locally sourced materials were essential to the restaurant’s design. Most of the oak used for furniture and interior was harvested from trees grown less than fifty kilometers from Barr's doorstep. The restaurant's furniture was created by Malte Gormsen using traditional Danish craftsmanship and carpentry. The bar counters are CNC-milled oak. The relief pattern of the ceiling and wall panels is inspired by the microscopic view of barley, one of the three main ingredients in beer making.
Barr Gräbenbach
In addition to designing the interiors, Snøhetta also created Barr's branding and visual identity. Having researched the typographical heritage of the North Sea region, Snøhetta has also developed a unique typeface called Barr Gräbenbach. Shaped by the convergence of traditional handcraft and mechanical production, the typeface creates a bold yet refined expression. It is complemented by a color palette that references the natural seasons, honest and direct imagery, and a selection of paper qualities and embossing of patterns.