Olson Kundig is behind the design of Copine – a striking new restaurant in Seattle’s Ballard neighbourhood.
Copine occupies a prominent corner of a new mixed-use building in Seattle, benefitting from large windows that flood the restaurant with natural light from all three sides.
For Shaun McCrain and Jill Kinney – the couple behind Copine – the restaurant’s interior needed to be both intimate and social, while also allowing the food to take centre stage.
“Working with Olson Kundig was an incredible experience,” says Jill Kinney. “Kirsten and her team were receptive to all of our input and helped us to create a space that really feels both inviting and refined.
“We wanted a Pacific Northwest nod that brought in elements of wood and earth, as well as some reclaimed pieces. They met the few challenges we encountered with grace and a positive response. Shaun and I are very grateful.”
The layout of the restaurant been carefully executed so that the visitor experience unfolds as guests are greeted in the entry foyer. The host station here is clad in reclaimed wood, exuding character and depth, while custom casework with open shelves reveals the dining area beyond.
The long bar, clad with reclaimed wood and topped with a deep metallic shade of Richlite, provides an intimate space for dining and drinks. Suspended overhead, a roughly hewn Douglas fir trellis adds atmosphere and texture, while strategically-placed art walls painted in creamy white conceal the property’s mechanical systems, and lend a sense of privacy between dining zones.
For larger parties, the experience culminates at the chef’s table and open kitchen – offering views of the busy, yet immaculate kitchen. Located off the main dining space, the open design provides an intimate insight into the preparation process, tradition and attention to detail that McCrain’s cuisine is famed for.
