Space Copenhagen Unveils Interiors for Apothéose

In the bustling Toranomon Hills Tower in Tokyo, a new 40-seat restaurant and bar has been brought to life through the creative vision of Space Copenhagen, the celebrated Danish design studio. Named Apothéose, this culinary haven is the brainchild of the celebrated Michelin Chef Keita Kitamura, who returned to Japan after a successful 15-year tenure in Paris. Blending the rich tapestry of Japanese culinary traditions with the sophisticated influences of French culture, the restaurant's interior seamlessly weaves together elements designed by Space Copenhagen to craft an environment that is not only inviting but also serves as the perfect backdrop for patrons to indulge in Chef Kitamura's extraordinary cuisine.

Upon entering Apothéose, guests are greeted by a bespoke sculptural host station in a spacious hallway, which flows effortlessly into a welcoming lounge area. Here, sturdy oak tables and moss-green Loafer Chairs by &Tradition, upholstered in neo-classical-inspired Kvadrat Sacho fabric, invite guests to relax in an atmosphere that feels at once contemporary yet grounded in timeless design.​ The floor and walls are adorned with earthy, warm, light-burnt terracotta tiles, with some wall surfaces covered in a lighter, semi-transparent textile in a natural tone. The space maintains a seamless connection to the outdoor terrace with lush greenery in the form of trees and plants, creating an invitingly organic atmosphere in the restaurant.

As guests leave the open lounge area, they enter a warmly lit passageway lined with built-in wine cabinets. The walls and door frames are covered in refined darkened brass panels, and at the end of the passage is a beautifully crafted double door that marks the entrance to the restaurant. The door, which opens automatically when approached, features an intricate scalloped decorative motif and handles made of darkened brass. As guests enter the restaurant, they are greeted by a vibrant open kitchen with stunning views of the Tokyo Skyline.

The restaurant space has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, offering a noticeable change of pace from the busy urban landscape at the bottom of the Tower. The stunning view of Tokyo feels almost otherworldly and meditative. Light filters through the space from day to night through transparent sheer fabric framing the façade, while the simple and minimal spatial features and surfaces, rich textures, and carefully selected materials are highlighted in different lights. The darkened brass wall panels that wrap around the open kitchen are complemented by walls in chalky plaster, alongside wall panels and floors in light wood. Further use of wooden panelled walls defines a separate, intimate private dining space next to the kitchen.

To enhance the overall design, Space Copenhagen has carefully selected a palette of natural materials for the restaurant’s furnishings including fabrics from Dedar and grey Nuance leather from Sorensen. Gleda dining chairs in solid white oak, designed by Space Copenhagen for British furniture brand Benchmark, are complemented by solid white oak tables custom-made by Benchmark for the restaurant. In the lounge area, artist Hideaki Yamanobe’s painting, fittingly entitled Through the Clouds, adds a poetic layer to the space. A stone waiter’s station serves as a functional and decorative element, housing ceramics, glassware, and sculptural objects, while strengthening the connection between the kitchen and the guests.

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere at Apothéose, with portable Como Lamps by &Tradition providing table illumination, and modern, playful light fixtures from Michael Anastassiades punctuating the wider space. Subtle yet impactful, the lighting reinforces Space Copenhagen’s emphasis on craftsmanship, beauty, honest materiality, quality, curiosity, and balance.

Commenting on the design strategy of the restaurant and bar, Space Copenhagen founders Peter Bundaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksen say “We wanted Apothéose to be a refined space of crafted elegance with its own distinctiveness, we hope guests enjoy spending time in its considered and intimate dining and culinary experience.”

Toranomon Hills encapsulates the concept of transformation. What was once primarily known as a business district is now evolving into a multifaceted place that combines work and life with cultural discovery and hospitality. Earlier this year, Space Copenhagen designed Hotel Toranomon Hills, which occupies the ground and 11th to 14th floors of the Toranomon Hills Station Tower. The hotel includes Le Pristine Tokyo, a restaurant by Sergio Herman, also designed by Space Copenhagen, following their celebrated design of the original Le Pristine in Antwerp in 2020.

Photography by Joachim Wichmann

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Space Copenhagen Reveals Interiors for The Largo

Space Copenhagen, the Danish design studio, has just completed the interiors for a new hotel in Porto, Portugal. Located on the historic Largo de São Domingos, the 18-room hotel, restaurant and bar occupy five interconnected 15th, 16th and 19th century buildings that Space Copenhagen has carefully stripped back and restored to reveal, and maintain, many of its original features. The Largo is an exciting new hotel concept that playfully subverts the standard notions of luxury hospitality and is the brainchild of Annassurra, a Copenhagen based travel and hospitality group.

The collection of historical buildings was first lovingly restored by architect Frederico Valsassina and is situated in a prime position with views across the Douro River, which runs through the city of Porto. One of the key objectives of the renovation, which has steadily been taking place over the last three years, has been the conservation of hundreds of years of history and the preservation of the crafts and traditions embedded within the architecture of the building.

The Largo’s interiors have been conceived by Space Copenhagen founders Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksento to inspire connection; between guests, hosts, the Portuguese community and the space itself. Soft, slightly nostalgic yet timeless, the interiors are orchestrated by a modern design perspective with an overarching sense of slow design and travel.

“For The Largo, we have applied a refined, historically detailed design language that celebrates modernity combined with a sense of an aesthetic slowness in celebration of the city, its legacy and the local traditions of Porto", explains Peter Bundgaard Rützou. This play, at the intersection of tradition and modernity with attention to detail and authenticity, is executed through thoughtful elements of craft, materiality, texture and art. "The materials used throughout are local, subdued, warm, intimate, tactile, and natural. Where possible we have collaborated with local artisans to create an experience, an environment that is elegant, distinctly discreet, sensuous and comfortable." As a result, you will find stone, wood, brass, and soft fabrics recurring consistently throughout the design.

The suites at The Largo are all generously proportioned with thoughtfully considered layouts that consequently encourage a longer stay at a slower pace. All rooms mimic the intimacy of an apartment living room and private quarters. The beds are the centrepiece of the room and are framed by a Renaissance feature of elaborate headboards reinterpreted in a modern way to pay respect to its origin. Ceilings bear the same level of diluted ornamentation bringing the historic context of the buildings into a new and repurposed setting. Paying homage to local craft and tradition each element has been carefully and exclusively designed for The Largo and executed by Portuguese artisans. The millwork, stone and metalwork throughout were carefully created by local artisans, as well as tiling sourced from local tile manufacturers. The wooden flooring, granite portal, entry passage and plastered walls in subdued colour tones further enhance the slow and warm pace, while the ornate ceilings have been preserved with the historical building's original design.

The bathrooms feature large tile stone flooring and bathtubs carved as a singular piece in local Portuguese stone. Each room includes a lounge and table settings that facilitate the experience of luxury in-room dining. The penthouses and townhouses have their own kitchens, and all suites have extensive pantry storage and wine fridges to welcome a longer stay.

The lounge, where guests are greeted at ground level, has a secluded feel. Located towards the back of the building, there is an opportunity to interact and engage, dwell or listen to an intimate performance or talk. Guests can also enjoy the outside courtyard, which is impressively suspended between the building and rock, at five stories deep.

Adjoining The Largo are sister projects Cozinha das Flores and Flôr, a restaurant and a bar, both also under the direction of Nuno Mendes. The restaurant, Cozinha das Flores, celebrates the food, culture, wines, techniques and ingredients of Porto and the surrounding region. The adjacent twelve-seat bar, Flôr, has fast become a cornerstone of the local neighbourhood.

Speaking further on the design, Peter Bundgaard Rützou says "Our wish has been to create a soft and charming oasis in the heart of Porto – a place and destination where you can feel at home, sense the honest and genuine atmosphere of the historic buildings and neighbourhood…A place of discovery, and a place to recharge for new adventures in the beautiful city and surrounding nature.” A beautiful fusion between old and new, The Largo invites visitors to embark on a journey of both inner and outer exploration, weaving together the tapestry of Porto's rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

Photography by Joachim Wichmann

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The Pad: A Japanese-Inspired Sanctuary by SHA

Suzanne Hunt Architect (SHA) was approached by previous clients, a couple in their 70s, initially seeking to renovate their 'Mediterranean-style' split-level strata unit in South Perth.  Following a two-year process of preparing design drawings for several options, including both a small and large reno, and as conversations unfolded about their evolving requirements and the desire to age in place, the project transitioned into a new build. The culmination of this transformation is revealed as The Pad, a beautifully detailed, Japanese-inspired, single-story home. Melding intentionally understated architecture with a refined material palette of steel, timber, and polished plaster, the result is an exquisitely designed, inviting sanctuary.

Located on the Swan Canning River Park, the site provides access and views over the foreshore. Passionate gardeners, with a love of birdlife, the owner's brief was for an unpretentious and sustainable, passive-designed, weather-responsive two-bedroom home that connects to nature and views while providing privacy, security, accessibility, and flexibility for gatherings. Additionally, strict strata by-laws restricting height, aesthetics, access and materiality needed to be adhered to.

Reflecting SHA's holistic architectural approach, The Pad is designed to visually recede while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape. On the southern side, dark-stained timber battens artfully conceal the garage, merging with polished plaster walls that guide the way to the Japanese-inspired entry door via porcelain tiles. To the north, an exposed steel frame surrounds full-height sliding doors that not only open to unveil the breathtaking views but also frame them. Adjacent to this, glazed doors and a louvred-roof alfresco area can be fully opened, effortlessly bridging indoor and outdoor spaces with seamless transitions. This thoughtful arrangement effectively doubles the available entertaining area. Meanwhile, all external doors facing north are equipped with recessed remote-controlled blinds, serving both as protection against the sun's glare and as measures for security and privacy. Additionally, strategically placed high-level windows throughout the house not only mitigate the impact of any limiting side setbacks but also grant views of the expansive sky.

With landscaping playing a pivotal role, The Pad features three internal courtyards strategically dispersed throughout the home. These serve to create a sense of separation among the rooms, while also establishing physical and visual connections through lush landscaping. Each courtyard provides security, is shielded from insects, and is shaded with remote-controlled horizontal blinds. These blinds serve the dual purpose of diffusing natural light into the rooms, ensuring cross-breezes, and views to the river and city reach deep into the home.

The design incorporates Japanese-inspired operable glazed walls, doors, and retractable insect screens that seamlessly slide apart, blurring the line between inside and out. Vulcan timber battens on the walls and ceiling, offset by polished plaster, create a sensation of walking along a bridge through a forest towards distant wetlands. Sustainability was a priority, using local materials like thermally modified pine battens, Low-E glazing, Australian-made aluminium doors/windows, and porcelain flooring tiles. Onsite, 5.5 kW solar panels and batteries store renewable energy, while dedicated bike storage encourages riverfront bike path use for leisure and local shopping.

This design demonstrates that it’s possible to create delightful and sustainable infill housing in spite of multiple constraints and challenges imposed by strata by-laws and regulations. By prioritizing access to light and views – and connections to nature – The Pad provides a welcoming residence for the owners to enjoy their retirement and entertain family and friends.

Credits

Architecture: SHA

Project Team: Suzie Hunt, Principal Architect and Catherine Lee, Senior Associate

Build: Valento Residences

Photographer: Dion Robeson

Styling: KT Crocker  

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An Attic Apartment in Kyiv by Yana Molodykh

The project I’m sharing with you today is an apartment located in Podil, one of the oldest districts in Kyiv. Designed by Yana Molodykh of Yanamol Studio, Yana says that even now, during wartime, life here continues. The feeling of home has become a powerful source of calm, providing much-needed mental stillness and balance. This small apartment, located on the attic floor, was designed for a retired couple who own a private residence in the outer suburbs of Kyiv and often come to the city on weekends to immerse themselves in cultural life and spend time with their children and friends. The interior of the pied-à-terre takes its cues from the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Podil, combining cosiness with warm colours and modern touches.

The clients chose the Podil district for its charm, picturesque surroundings and access to the water, traits that remind them of Kherson, a resort town by the sea in southern Ukraine, where they were both born. The city features a mix of restored 20th-century buildings and modern architecture with numerous shops and cafes. Located on the eighth floor of a new building near the legendary Zhovten cinema, the apartment features wonderful views of the rooftops of Podil.

The client’s son and his wife who own the furniture brand Buro 150 have worked with Yana Molodykh on projects previously and recommended her for the apartment redesign. Taking advantage of the original detailing, Yana left the beams and metal columns exposed, creating built-in shelving in the living room and bedrooms to maximise the use of vertical space. The owners love to cook and host guests, so a comfortable and functional kitchen and a cosy living room were prioritised. Warm white walls, pale wood finishes and light and elegant furniture and objects were chosen to enhance the airy atmosphere of ‘life under the roof’'. A key piece is the Akari floor lamp from Vitra designed by Isamu Noguchi.

Despite its small size, the bedroom has everything needed for a comfortable stay including a bed raised on a podium, a wardrobe niche built behind a column, and shelves and drawers near the bed. The massive beam on the ceiling was encased in a plasterboard box to visually lighten the space and avoid the feeling of a heavy metal structure overhead.

The entrance area creates a striking first impression with its tiled flooring and blue accent door. There is also a separate dressing room, where the wardrobes are cleverly inserted between the structures of beams and columns. 

In the bathroom, a mix of four different tiles was used to achieve the aesthetics, shape and colour inherent in 1920s style Constructivism. A free-standing bath and terracotta ceramic sconces by the Ukrainian designer Yulia Kononenko complete the space.

Photography by Yevhenii Avramenko

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