Dutch architects Merkx + Girod have designed the interiors for a chain of fast-food restaurants serving fresh pasta, to be located at railway stations across the Netherlands.
The first two stores have been opened at Amsterdam and Leiden central stations, with stations in other major Dutch cities expected to follow.
The kitchen of the Amsterdam restaurant consists of three kitchen islands surrounded by a high, corian counter.
Wooden benches with leather upholstery furnish the dining area.
Photography by Roos Aldershoff.
The following text is from Merkx+Girod:
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Fresh Design for Fresh Pasta
The Dutch train stations already offer a large variety of food to their travellers and recently fresh Italian Pasta was added to the menu. Servex, part of the Dutch Railway Company NS, and responsible for exploiting catering formulas at all train stations, introduced Julia’s, a new food-concept offering fresh pasta ‘to stay or to go’. The first pilot stores have been opened at Amsterdam and Leiden central stations, most major cities are scheduled to follow.
At the heart of the concept lies Julia, a strong Italian woman who invites you into her kitchen. Other keywords for the designers were pure, honest, clean, healthy and natural, making the formula stand out in the visual noise of most train stations. Merkx + Girod first looked at the functionalities needed in the kitchen, taking into account that each order of pasta, the sauces, espressos and cappuccinos are prepared on the spot. In the 130m2 space in Amsterdam this resulted into three kitchen islands, extended by a long, high Corian table, enveloping the counter as a skin.
Balancing the speed required in the kitchen, the eating area with robust wooden benches with leather seats offers its guests the opportunity for relaxation while enjoyoing their meal. Pasta shapes drawn by Agata Zwierzynska form a subtle decoration on the surrounding walls. Irma Boom designed all company graphics with it’s bright green accent colour. Merkx + Girod’s design proves that a fast food restaurant does not need to be ‘quick and cheap’ and that durability and elegance can go hand in hand. The use of Cumaru wood, leather, bright green accents, anthracite floor tiles and ‘retro’ white tiles provide a look that is both robust and fresh; buono gusto!
Project: Julia’s - Fresh Pasta ‘to stay or to go’
Location: Amsterdam and Leiden central stations, NL
Area: 130 m2
Client: Servex
Interior Design: Merkx + Girod architect
Project team: Evelyne Merkx, Det van Oers, Sanne Oomen, Klaas Cammelbeeck, Raymond Leentvaar, Marlies Hoevers, Ruben Bus
Illustrations: Agata Zwierzynska
Graphic design: Irma Boom
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