Opening in October 2023, El Fant Café & Bar is the place to be during your next stopover in the Finnish capital.
Head for Torikorttelit, one of the liveliest areas in central Helsinki. This historic district, which dates back to the 18th century, is not to be missed by lovers of architecture, but also of cultural outings, thanks to its proximity to Helsinki Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the City Museum and the Cruise Terminal. Lovers of fine dining will not be outdone, as they will find boutiques, cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants. For those lucky enough to set foot in Finland's capital, El Fant Café & Bar is a must-see.
To shape this convivial space, the Yatofu agency, founded in 2017, was selected. Its silhouette was inspired by neighborhood tradition and community energy. "Yatofu proposed to recreate El Fant Café & Bar as a destination that would not only inject more creative energy into Helsinki's Old Town, but also explore the unique potential of contemporary Finnish design. The design perspective would explore the balance between the novelty of a unique interior concept and the heritage of local values and traditional materials," explains the studio.
To express the values and benefits of local production, Yatofu chose to use solid pine from Northern Finland. This wood was used as the raw material for the bespoke furniture created for the space, designed by a young generation of talented local craftsmen. For Yatofu, it's "an ode to the young creative minds that permeate the city ". " El Fant offers a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere where people and ideas come together over food, coffee and wine. "
Pine was selected because it is a sustainable building material, but also and above all because it has been used as a raw material for ages in the crafts of this northern European country. It also evokes notions of nature, purity and sincerity, while also having a practical aspect. Working closely with Puutamo, a carpentry workshop run by young carpenter Eveliina Ylönen, Yatofu chose to use 4-centimeter-thick pine planks to shape all the bespoke furniture in the space.
When it came to lighting the space, the architects called on the talents of Paja&Bureau, a firm headed by two talented designer-craftsmen specializing in metalwork. Paja&Bureau brought to life the lighting fixtures designed by Yatofu - custom-built integrated lamps in galvanized steel - as well as all the shelving and the bar counter.
El Fant's aesthetic is the result of this happy union: the coldness of galvanized steel softened by Finnish pine. The same pine whose tone is enhanced, on certain seats, by a saturated tomato red. The solid pine dining chairs were selected from the catalog of Finnish brand Vaarnii, chosen for its commitment to this essential raw material.
Minimalist, respectful of the resources that helped shape it, and honoring its young creations and traditions, El Fant has all the makings of a good student, and lays out the steps to follow to give birth to warm, meaningful places.
ELFANT.INFO
