Studio 34 South has transformed a former garage built in the Dutch city of Den Bosch into a restaurant and bar called Garage Pompen & Verlouw.
The studio, helmed by Samantha Ellinson and Chechi Valentine, wanted to create a soft and light, warm and clean environment, within the former dark and industrial mechanic's space.
Using automobile design of the 1930s as a source of inspiration, the duo researched the finely crafted interiors of vintage cars.
"It was a world of glossy walnut steering wheels, streamlined metal details, stitched brown and burgundy tones of leather seating," the studio said.
"It was pure craftsmanship. The goal was to capture the essence of that aesthetic and bring it into today in a completely unexpected way."
A curving central bar at the heart of the 180-sqaure-metre space features a glossy wood top that is designed to recall a steering wheel while the ribbed stitched leather front is inspired by car seat upholstery.
The designers said they selected vibrant warm colours such as cherry, peach and orange to create a modern palette of tones and textures and prints.
Where possible, original features that were still in good condition have been maintained, such as the original pull-up garage doors, which have been bolted to the old industrial ceiling.
"We love to play with tension like that," said the duo of the original design features. "Not in an obvious and predictable way but subtle and to create a backdrop. It's there, but you don’t have to interact with it."
The designers also applied corrugated metal cladding painted in cream to the restaurant's walls.
"This is one of the most basic and unexciting cladding materials, but very connected to the aesthetic language of garages and factories," they explained. "It's reflective and wavy shape adds a playful lightness to the space.
Other converted garages featured on Dezeen include a half subterranean home behind a timber screen in East Dulwich, and a 21-square-metre micro home clad in Corten steel in Vilnus, Lithuania.
Photography is by Nina van Ewijk
Project credits:
Design: Studio 34 South
Contractor: Aannemersbedrijf Wijnen BV
Interior builder: Brandwacht en Meijer