Bardem Cocktail Bar

The Bardem cocktail bar quickly became a new place to go for friends of cultivated bar culture in the heart of Helsinki. The independent interior concept is the work of the renowned local design studio Fyra, and its modern interpretation is based on the principle of a speakeasy bar. Fyra plays with the combination of old and new in a stylistically confident manner and focuses on a large, central bar in the deliberately discreetly lit, atmospherically mysterious room. Ceramic tiles of the Craft series of Agrob Buchtal skilfully complement this relaxed flair and convince with an impressive visual depth as well as a lively play of colours.

From the sales area to the hotspot for cultivated bar culture
For the studio Fyra, the challenge was to transform a two-storey former sales area into a bar concept which literally captivates the guests, but at the same time also offers an opportunity to retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life.

They decided to centre the room around a large bar and make it the heart of the entire interior concept. Especially the curves of the bar, which were covered with wooden panels with a light, honey-coloured finish, catch the eye. Perfectly arranged spirits, together with stylish, painting-like wall decorations, complement the generous bar counter.

Ceramic tiles play an important part
A special highlight on the wall was created by Fyra with the help of ceramic tiles, which were produced by long-time firing in a classic tunnel kiln. The studio used the tiles in different colours and played especially with the exquisite high-gloss glazes. "The tiles play an important part in our interior concept, as they bring life to the dark, dimly lit room”, explains Laura Järvinen, the interior designer in charge of the project. "The high-gloss surface perfectly harmonizeswith the soft shapes and materials we used in this bar. We also arranged the tiles in several horizontal rows and used a colour gradient to create a perfect visual link between floor and ceiling.”

Craft: natural, archaic look
The ceramic tile series Craft of Agrob Buchtal used here is a collection which, in combination with firing temperature and open flames, produces particularly bright and intensive colours. High-gloss glazes also enable an impressive visual depth and a lively play of colours.

Today, ceramic tiles are mainly produced horizontally by fast firing and in roller-type kilns. Craft, on the other hand, is produced standing upright by long-time firing in a classic tunnel kiln. There, the natural play of the fire creates a natural, archaic look and thus enables results with a unique character.

Craft is available in different variants and colours. Fyra chose the colours mid-grey, olive-green flamed and benit-blue. The centrally inserted strip tiles with wave profile (also olive-green) give the wall a rhythmic three-dimensional structure and create different visual effects, depending on the incidence of light.

Designstudio Fyra