New York firm Buro Koray Duman has redesigned the interiors of an iconic eatery in Manhattan's West Village, which has been taken over by celebrity chef Antoni Porowski.

The Village Den reopened earlier this month under the supervision of Porowski and hospitality veterans The Metric, who recently rose to fame as the food and wine expert in Netflix show Queer Eye.

Located on a prominent corner at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and West 12th Street, the restaurant was a popular local spot before it closed at the beginning of 2018.
Porowski overhauled the menu from greasy spoon to healthy fare, and wanted the interiors to reflect the fresher approach he aimed to bring to the Polish-influenced cuisine.

Buro Koray Duman was chosen to collaborate on the design with The Metric, and was asked by the client to "incorporate wood and plants" into the space. The fast-casual format also required a layout that included a point-of-sale space with a reach-in fridge, a merchandise display, a pick-up area, and a spot for drink supplies.

The firm therefore installed a three-dimensional lattice of stained popular, which incorporates all of these features.
"It is a sculptural element that simultaneously fosters brand identity and defines the space," studio founder Koray Duman told Dezeen.

This structure hangs in front of the original brick walls and below the decorative ceiling, which are all painted white to provide a neutral backdrop.

"In a way, we wanted ...