Architecture and design studio Spacon & X has been enlisted to design the space for POPL, a new restaurant within the noma family. For the project, the Copenhagen-based studio has collaborated with e15 to unveil a range of custom-made furniture.
Izakaya, the informal drinking establishments of Japan, guide the design concept ofthe restaurant, while the name itself – derived from Latin word ‘populus’ meaning ‘community of people’ – reflects the spirit and heart of POPL, which brings people together in Copenhagen’s picturesque Christianshavn neighbourhood. Born out of noma’s summer pop-up, the restaurant concept aims to now permanently broaden the culinary horizons of the humble burger.
The simple and striking interior pairs custom-made wooden furniture, designed by Spacon & X in collaboration with e15, with bespoke artwork and a warm palette of poppy reds, muted greens and meadow flowers to reflect both Denmark’s four seasons and POPL’s seasonal menu. The main material palette consists of naturally oiled brown core ash wood. “We have always admired noma’s approach to its products – from the individual ingredients to theholistic experience, each element demonstrates great attention to detail. This is also how we approached the design for POPL – and the design of the custom-made furniture in the space. With attention and care for the details and with the goal to recreate the warm welcome noma is so well known for.” Malene Hvidt, architect and partner at Spacon & X.
POPL
POPL is a neighborhood restaurant located on an iconic corner by the water in the Copenhagen neighborhood of Christianshavn, a place for everyone to come together with family and friends over the simple joy of a well-crafted burger. The name POPL derives from the Latin word “populus” meaning community of people, but also refers to poplar wood, which is a nod to POPL’s approach and great respect for nature.
The Menu
The POPL team – a group of noma veterans – celebrates the vibrant Copenhagen community of producers that the noma family has been working with over the past 17 years. From platemakers, to biodynamic farmers and fermenters, to brewers and winemakers, POPL is a place for everyone to come together with family and friends over the simple joy of a well-crafted burger. The concept behind the menu is based on five key burgers, with classic options made using organic Danish beef that comes courtesy of the west coast of Denmark in the Danish Wadden Sea National Park. Guests can also enjoy vegetarian and vegan options, quinoa tempeh from the noma fermentation lab, or quick bites to eat including fermented mild chillies and a shot of organic rye whiskey to experience the restaurant’s unique take on haute cuisine.
The Space
Housed inside a former warehouse, the POPL space combines industrial elements with natural materials and textures. Spacon & X transformed the 500 sqm expanse, enhancing the concrete pillars and brickwork of the original structure with a purposely built ‘plant bridge’ to highlight the height of the interior and to create a more intimate feel for diners below. A dynamic and flexible eating arrangement provides the possibility of arranging intimate zones within the high ceiling space. The handcrafted furniture and flexible seating arrangements – such as high-back and low upholstered seating in yellow leather – transport the look and feel of the classic American diner to the heart of Copenhagen. Acoustic panels lined with dried and compressed meadow flowers, coverthe ceiling, while the flower’s subtle aroma exudes a harmonious scent.
Spacon & X
Spacon & X is a cross-disciplinary spatial identity-, design- and architecture studio and double Dezeen & FRAME awards winner. Spacon & X, which is short for Spatial Conversion & Cross-functionalism, was founded in 2014 in Copenhagen and the studio houses 20 employees with a variety of different backgrounds, from architects and interior designers, to design engineers, sculptors, building constructors and experience-economists.
Collaboration with e15
The furniture, designed and produced in collaboration with e15, illustrates simplicity and authentic artisanship in its archetypal structure. Crafted of brown core ash wood, the bespoke collection comprises chairs, stools, coat hangers and various tables, the latter featuring tabletops made out of Richlite, a durable composite of recycled paper and bio resin. ”For me, the focus of this project is on the use of natural materials andcraftsmanship. This is very much in line with the approach to our work at e15.” Philipp Mainzer, e15 founder.
E15
Based in Germany, e15 is a premium interior brand that stands for consistent, progressive design coupled with high-grade materials and innovative, handcrafted production methods. e15 is defined by the unique backgrounds of its founder and architect Philipp Mainzer together with designer and art director Farah Ebrahimi. In close collaboration with a coterie of designers, architects and artists, e15 develops original as well as bespoke products and supports artistic statements, which reflectthe brand’s open approach to diverse cultures and disciplines.
POPL
STRANDGADE 108
1401COPENHAGEN, DK
WWW.POPLBURGER.COM
OFFICIAL OPENING DATE
3 DECEMBER 2020
ARCHITECT: SPACON & X
WWW.SPACONANDX.COM
FURNITURE: E15
WWW.E15.COM