Photography © Pernille Sandberg
Snøhetta has given Oslo coffee company Magnat Kaffehus a new public address in Kvadraturen, transforming its former showroom into élan – a coffee bar where the rituals of coffee take centre stage and the interiors come with a soundtrack of their own.
Oslo’s coffee credentials are well established but there is always room for a newcomer, particularly one as distinctive as élan. The new coffee bar occupies the ground floor of Sjøfartsbygningen in Kvadraturen, where Norwegian specialty-coffee company Magnat Kaffehus has been based for more than a decade. Its former showroom has now been opened to the public, with Snøhetta responsible for everything from the interior to the visual identity.
Snøhetta has departed from the conventional café layout, introducing a circular counter that creates a central meeting point for guests and baristas. Together with the sculptural ceiling installation, it defines the interior, while dark-stained oak and heat-treated cork lend the space its distinctive character. The cork, organically carved in 3D, has also been used for custom-made furniture, giving the interior an almost monolithic appearance.
“Rather than creating a conventional counter where guests and baristas stand on opposite sides, we wanted to create a new center point for the interaction. I think there’s magic in creating curiosity around everyday routines.”
The striking turquoise installation suspended over the counter is a nod to both the green-blue hues of raw coffee beans and the patinated copper details of Sjøfartsbygningen’s exterior. Concealed inside are directional speakers playing an original composition by Norwegian musician Jonas von der Fehr. Developed specifically for the space, the music shifts subtly between the different areas of the café, allowing guests to move in and out of the sound while leaving room for conversation.
“The compositions unfold gradually, allowing guests to discover new details over time without having to follow the music from beginning to end.”
Snøhetta has carried the same turquoise into élan’s graphic identity, pairing it with deep coffee-brown tones. At the back of the café, a separate room offers a quieter setting for meetings and small gatherings, furnished with Snøhetta’s Array sofa for MDF Italia and Matter carpets for Ege Carpets.
Élan is a very welcome addition to Oslo’s coffee scene, and a good excuse to spend a little more time in Kvadraturen – preferably over coffee, of course.
PHOTOGRAPHY © PERNILLE SANDBERG