Stepping into the social spaces of Locke Copenhagen, a new Scandinavian outpost by London-based design practice A-nrd, is an immersive experience that seamlessly blends Copenhagen's design heritage with the contemporary spirit of the surrounding district. The ground floor, a layered sequence of spaces designed for gathering, dining, and everyday social life, is a testament to A-nrd's approach to interior architecture. This article delves into the design, exploring how A-nrd has crafted an interior that both softens the vast and monolithic shell of the building and introduces warmth and tactility through crafted furniture, textiles, and art.
A Bridge Between Past and Present
A-nrd's design philosophy is rooted in the three pillars of Danish design culture: simplicity of form, a love of nature, and the idea of home. However, the studio deliberately avoids familiar clichés, creating an interior that is both a nod to Copenhagen's design heritage and a reflection of the evolving character of the Postbyen district. The project's ambition to become a greener urban oasis is evident in the layered zoning, crafted details, and an earthy palette drawn from Copenhagen's architectural landscape.
Softening the Architecture
The interior design team faced the challenge of softening the vast and monolithic shell of the building without diminishing its sense of scale. They achieved this by introducing warmth and intimacy through crafted furniture, textiles, and art. The reception area, for instance, features floor-to-ceiling glazing that floods the space with natural light, revealing the building's exposed concrete structure and terrazzo floor. A sculptural reception desk clad in blue-grey volcanic lava tiles adds a striking focal point, while handmade table lamps and a sculptural wall light in polished chrome create a soft layer of illumination.
Crafted Details and Textures
A-nrd has arranged a series of bespoke seating pieces designed specifically for the project. Crafted in dark oak with structured, graphic frames, the lounge armchairs incorporate generous timber armrests that function as integrated side tables. Graphic rugs developed in collaboration with Warp Studio introduce a strong visual rhythm against the terrazzo floor. As guests move deeper into the ground floor, the interior unfolds into a relaxed lounge environment where architectural joinery structures, rugs, and seating clusters subtly zone the expansive open-plan space.
A Dialogue Between Contemporary Art and Interior Architecture
A large wooden sculpture by Danish artist Tilde Grynnerup stands on a central plinth, anchoring the composition of seating and joinery while reinforcing the dialogue between contemporary art and interior architecture. Bespoke banquette seating designed by the studio wraps around oak café tables, whose surfaces feature a small inlay motif repeated in varying forms throughout the interior. The lounge extends into a further seating pocket framed by a blackened steel wall, introducing a deeper tonal contrast within the warm palette of timber, stone, and textiles.
A Richer Dining Environment
The main restaurant is a 'green oasis' within the building, combining natural textures, layered textiles, and planting to soften the scale of the architectural shell while creating an organic and communal atmosphere. The varying seating typologies and heights introduce a gentle rhythm to the space, allowing the restaurant to feel dynamic and varied depending on where guests choose to sit. The material language established at the bar echoes at an open kitchen counter, where the same peach-toned stone panelling and oak countertop continue.
A Richer Palette in the Café Bar
Beyond the restaurant, the ground floor opens into a café bar where the palette shifts towards richer tones. The counter continues the project's use of peach-toned natural stone, while the bar façade itself is clad in timber veneer in a rich cherry hue. The veneer is articulated with projecting timber battens that form a sculptural relief across the front of the counter, echoing the Danish architectural references that A-nrd nods to throughout the interior.
A New Hospitality Destination
Locke Copenhagen reflects A-nrd's approach to interior architecture, balancing material richness with spatial clarity while responding to the architectural context. The ground floor unfolds as a series of interconnected environments that guide guests through the building, creating spaces that feel social and distinctly human in scale. The project marks an important moment for the brand as it expands into Copenhagen's rapidly evolving Postbyen area, designed as an open, social space that welcomes both guests and the wider neighbourhood.
