restaurant VINKE
The project lies in the centre of the West-Flemish town of Westouter, and is flanked by the town square what makes it very accessible for the locals and tourists . The former old building has successfully been transformed into a modern restaurant and event space by catering company ‘Tout à fait Sophie’.
From the start it was clear the building needed a drastic renovation, without losing the charm of the original red brick building. The demolition of several smaller annexes was needed to enhance the relationship between the restaurant, town square and the walled terrace. Subtle bronze minimal windows maximize the strong presence of the red brick façade. At the back, a fully glassed structure is used to fade away the border between inside and outside and puts the walled terrace in the spotlight .
The restaurant and event space are the two significant area’s in the building. These are separated from each other by two central volumes, in which we find the kitchen and sanitary block. The only thing connecting these two area’s is the bar, finished with brass as a strong hint to the typical, old beer taps we find in the local pubs.
The chef of the restaurant prefers a simple but refined cooking style, what has been a guideline for the choice of materials. The yellow, greyish brown and black colour scheme is a subtle hint to the finch (name restaurant ‘Vinke’ = finch) and can be found in the bar, restaurant furniture, walls and sanitary block. A fireplace is situated in one part of the restaurant, as the focal point for the diners who prefer a cosy domestic feeling within the contemporary look.
A soft and comfortable touch is made by the felt on the ceiling, and enhances the acoustic comfort of the several spaces. The calm materials used in the restaurant are the opposite of the sanitary spaces. These are filled with strongly coloured marble tiles. This mix of lines and squares deconstructs the room and makes it look bigger.
This project is defined by the use of very distinct materials, the clear divide between restaurant and event space and the majestic bar in the centre of it all. ‘Vinke’ aims to offer a complete and fulfilling experience on the plate and in its building.
