Dutch practice Concrete has recently completed 212, the open kitchen restaurant of Richard van Oostenbrugge & Thomas Groot in Amsterdam.
212 is the address on the Amstel, but it also is the balance between two passionate chefs joining forces to create one unforgettable experience.
Inspired by this passion, the two chefs and their cooking staff claim their spot in the center of the space inside the open kitchen. The guests are seen as visitors to this kitchen and are invited to sit down at the kitchen counter that wraps around the workspace. This way, guests and chefs can interact directly, sharing their passion and elevating the dining experience for both, guests and kitchen crew alike. 212 is, in fact, Amsterdam’s first ‘no table restaurant’.
The focus of the interior is on the central kitchen and guest experience, everything else is literally greyed out. The interior layout is designed around the open kitchen in the center of the space. The counter wraps around the kitchen on three sides in an interrupted U-shape. On the corners, the countertop cantilevers over the edge of the counter to create tables of two or four. The back wall boasts all major appliances and an open fireplace.
The choice of materials has been kept pure and honest: stainless steel for the entire kitchen, rear wall and hood. Natural oak is used for the countertop and front as well as the floor and ceiling as a warm counterpart to the industrial feel of the kitchen. The centre ceiling and bar counters have a custom three-dimensional surface constructed from oak pyramid shapes to create a warm, dimmed and intimate ambiance.
The perimeter between the façade and bar counter has been realised in a neutral grey: with ton-sur-ton floor, walls, sheer curtains and ceiling. Even the smallest details such as windows sills, speakers, lighting and switches feature grey tones. The wall next to the entrance displays a monochrome graffiti by street artist ‘Rafael Sliks’.
The logo of 212 is balanced over the horizontal axis creating a mathematical fraction, symbolizing two parts that make a perfect whole.
all images by Wouter van der Sar | courtesy of concrete