When the restauranteurs behind Penélope, Hans Välimäki and Arto Rastas, decided to create a totally new concept in Helsinki, they turned to Fyra. And based on the visual identity created by Kallan & Co, we set out to create the perfect place for everything from celebrations to drinks after work. The result is Bardem – a totally unique bar that people love to visit and hate to leave.

The very first thing that needed doing was to transform the two-story space in Helsinki’s Epicenter building from a store into a restaurant, giving the surrounding offices, stores and other restaurants a classy yet not-at-all-uppity new neighbor. The idea was for the restaurant to literally center around a large bar featuring prominently-placed bottles.

The bar is meant to be an attention-grabber, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their own personal space. The dark ambiance and dim lighting provide protection from prying eyes. And the laidback vibe pulls guests in and provides a refuse from the hectic life of the outside world.

Bardem’s interior naturally combines the old with the new, creating a unique and laidback atmosphere. The recycled and reupholstered furniture and curtains create a soft and intimate acoustic environment throughout the entire space. Bardem is a modern-day speakeasy where nuances from the 80s all the way to today come together to create something totally new.

Reflecting the history of the building, original fabrics produced in the spinning mill in the 1900s inspired the use of textiles, while Timo Sarpaneva’s prints from the 1960s are displayed above the beds as the centrepieces of the rooms. Lapinniemi’s cotton spinning mill was the first to produce fabrics using Sarpaneva’s pioneering Ambiente technique, which enabled producing watercolor-like, almost psychedelic patterns. The calm tones of the walls and floors contrast with the strong colour surfaces of the textiles. Fixed furniture are designed by Fyra.

Bardot is located in an old Art Nouveau building – the classic architecture was also a source of inspiration in the design. The team wanted to display the food and cooking to the customers, so part of the kitchen was integrated into the restaurant hall.

The functionality of the space was increased with the bar, where the restaurant can expand when full, otherwise the bar is an independent part of the restaurant with its own entrance. The lighting of the venue is flexible and emphasizes the functionality and warm atmosphere of the space. The French atmosphere was also sought in the furniture by using vintage pieces. The fixed furniture designed by Fyra was ordered from Finnish carpenters.

The aim was to build a uniform solution where the different spaces – the bar, lobby and brasserie – would complement one another naturally. The renovation of the brasserie will serve as the finishing touch. The starting point for the work is functionality, through the lens of which the whole service chain was reconsidered.