Ugress

Mediterranean bistro meets Nordic cuisine.

We’ve had the pleasure of designing the new restaurant and cocktail bar Ugress, located in the neighborhood Torshov in Oslo. By combining a Nordic aesthetics with Mediterranean features, we wanted to create a modern and inviting place to eat and drink.

During the design process it was clear that the space should not only reflect Ugress’ food ethos and menu, but also be connected to its location and demographic placement. The goal was to design and develop Torshov’s new neighbourhood restaurant. By incorporating a light yellow and green colour palette, Ugress is associated with the general palette you can find in Torshov’s many residential buildings, parks and overall atmosphere.

The light and acidic colour palette refers to the typical Mediterranean neighbourhood café being used as an extension of ones own private sphere. In this way a connection to the place is created.

The terracotta and white tiles, in combination with dark oiled birch, also plays a part in emphasising the aesthetic features of Ugress. The bar functions as the jewellery of the space with its location and material combinations. Its warm hues also create a soft contrast to the overall space. The bar and tables in the restaurant are designed by architect Øyvind Limi.

The artworks on the walls are carefully selected, and each one tells its own little story through its thematic and aesthetic expression.