Situated in the vibrant district of Kødbyen in Copenhagen, Hverdagen is a restaurant built upon the concept of gathering over shared plates with friends and family.

For the owners of Hverdagen, the idea was to combine a traditional restaurant with a long-table dinner concept that can accommodate large groups for casual social gatherings. With this in mind, the design concept of the entire space was devised to revolve around a long table made of solid Douglas wood which can host large groups in a gable structure’s intimate setting. The long table also doubles as a functional divider for the space, segmenting the restaurant into smaller zones serving different purposes.

On one side, intimate booths allow smaller groups to gather over a casual meal, while on the side, bar seating positioned along the tall windows are tailored for those who prefer to dine solo or are looking for a quick bite.

To deliver a holistic design that emphasizes sustainability and craftsmanship, all furniture within Hverdagen is made entirely from the same Douglas tree, designed and handcrafted by Vermland Studio and joinery. The Danish design team also masterminded the interior design and overall concept of the restaurant, bringing a refreshing approach to the challenge with their strong background in traditional joinery and spatial design.

To make the furniture, an entire Douglas tree was sourced and transported to the Vermland workshop for post-processing. The tree was then cut up and transformed into bespoke furniture pieces designed for the project. Keen on creating quality furniture that can withstand the test of time, the design team sourced raw materials based on their quality to age gracefully. “We try our best to design furniture based on local and long-lasting materials that we believe will continue to contribute to its environment for the many decades to come”, says Anton Bak, Co-founder of Vermland.

A minimal setting with a neutral palette puts the raw material under the spotlight. Elegant, Douglas wood furniture warms the space with its beautiful honey colour, complementing the existing exposed wooden beams of the structure. The design of the custom furniture drew inspiration from the existing frame structure of the house, as well as Vermland’s interest and knowledge in Japanese joinery.

The dining table hangs lightly from the structural beams in the ceiling, giving it its signature “floating” look. To achieve this, dowels were integrated into the beams and columns of the structure which is able to support the full weight of the wooden table without the use of screws. By using simple tectonics inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, Vermland is able to showcase the meticulously crafted furniture in an interactive setting.

At one end of the restaurant, a 4-meter high curtain from the Danish textile brand, KVADRAT, covers the entrance to the bathroom. The soft blush curtain adds texture and complexity to the space, bringing a touch of comfort and coziness to visiting guests.

To emphasize Hverdagen’s concept of everyday dining, the design team added details such as checkered textile bench cover patterns inspired by traditional dishtowels used in the home that are made of Hoison Cognac leather from Sorensen Leather. By incorporating everyday items that can be found in your home into the interior design and featuring family-style shared plates on the hearty menu created with local ingredients, diners are comforted with the familiar feeling of home when dining at Hverdagen with their family and friends.

ORGANIC AND LOCAL FOOD

Casual, everyday dishes are created daily using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. The owners of Hverdagen want to showcase some of the organic food and the fermenting process involved when making the ingredients.

A specially designed shelf system covers the entire back wall of the building, blending in seamlessly with the existing wood structure of the building. An array of colourful jars packed with fermented ingredients fill the shelves, bringing a rainbow of colours to the neutral backdrop. Much like the jars of homemade pickles and jams stock-piled in the pantries of every family’s home, the vibrant display is sure to bring fond memories of a well-stocked kitchen.

About Vermland

Vermland is based on a refined yet experimenting approach to product design, interiors and architecture. By intertwining Danish traditional crafts with an investigative interest in new materials, Vermland creates nontraditional design rooted in nature.

At Vermland, architects and craftsmen work closely together which enables them to experiment, draw and produce state of the art solutions directly from their workshop in the heart of Copenhagen.

The team takes a holistic approach to all projects, analyzing and researching each client’s needs and desires to ensure the outcome is true to their identity and values. Their many years of experience within traditional joinery and spatial design gives them the opportunity to combine Scandinavian aesthetics with contemporary elements and ensures that their projects are relevant today – and in the years to come. To learn more about other projects by Vermland, visit here or follow them on Instagram here.

Project Details

Project name: Hverdagen

Interior design and architecture: Vermland

Partners in charge: Anton Bak, Joakim Tolf Vulpius

Project leader: Sophie Maria Dorn

Project team: Katrine Sander, Marcus Skriver, Yohannes Asmerom Sium, Jakob Sommer Holmberg

Collaborators: Kvadrat, Sorensen Leather, Polsteriet Cph

Photography by Jannick Boerlum