Finland | El Fant Café & Bar

Yatofu Design Studio, through the El Fant project, has created a public space in the old town of Helsinki that combines Finnish traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design language, achieving a harmonious coexistence of "eternity and innovation." 🌟 Localization and Community Empowerment - Young Craftsmen Alliance : Collaborating with local metal workshop Paja&Bureau (galvanized steel bar) and woodworking team Puutamo (pine furniture), the project emphasizes "local production" and community cultural connections. Furniture maker Eveliina Ylönen leads the furniture production, challenging gender stereotypes in the Nordic woodworking industry and adding a soft, feminine touch to the space. 🛠️ Material Narrative and Craftsmanship Innovation - Industrial and Natural Aesthetics : - Industrial Feel : Custom galvanized steel bar and shelves with fluid curves optimize the layout of the three main areas, softening the rigid boundaries. 🔨 - Natural Feel : 4cm-thick Finnish pine furniture (tables, stools, benches) retains the original wood grain and features experimental tomato-red double-sided dyeing, creating a gradient effect under light. 🌳 Sustainable Practices - Zero-Waste Production : Wood scraps are repurposed into wall decorations, and steel remnants are turned into door handles and other accessories. 🌿 - Low-Carbon Sourcing : Materials are sourced within a 200-kilometer radius (e.g., pine from the northern region). 🌍 Lighting and Spatial Ambiance - Three-Tiered Lighting System : - Functional Spotlights (for work areas) - Ambient Gubi Wall Lights (to enhance the warmth of the wood) - Artistic Reflected Light (interaction between dyed furniture and ceiling light patterns) 🌟 - Color Tension : Tomato-red furniture, earth-toned hand-plastered walls, and cool gray concrete floors create a visually balanced space. 🎨 #InteriorDesign #CommercialSpaceDesign #WorkplaceDesign #DesignInspiration #CafeDesign #DayCafeNightBar #ColorAesthetics #SpatialAesthetics #RestaurantBarDesign