VANIMAL has an artsy, casual vibe that adds spice to the vegetarian restaurant scene. The name VANIMAL combines “V” from vegetarian with “animal”, two seemingly opposing words that describe a craving for vegetarian plates. Playing on these dual identities, dissimilar elements were used in the interior design to embrace the way how differences can bring innovative results.
Taking a wide range of inspirations from Jean Michel Basquiat’s work, Antonio Gaudi’s Park Guell, to the silhouettes and cut-outs of plants and animals, the interior is also a study in contrasts: original artwork and custom-designed furniture in vibrant colors and materials are set against a raw, slightly industrial background of black and concrete surfaces.
At the entrance, guests are greeted by a 17-foot long timber sculpture, the low-lying VANIMAL that defines the dining area and doubles as a bar. At the centre of restaurant, a 15-foot long communal table, a single piece of glass supported by timber logs and surrounded by VANIMAL chairs, symbolises a food culture of sharing. The open bar and kitchen anchor the space, where jars of vinegared vegetables as well as specialty drinks are on display.
The aroma and action in the kitchen animates the restaurant, bringing a lively vibe to the space. Artwork including the timber VANIMAL sculpture, the abstract feature wall (inspired by the textures of vegetables and executed in colorful Plexiglas blades), a neon artwork with a graphic impression of the VANIMAL as well as the unique chairs and tables were designed by via. specifically for VANIMAL.
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