Local studio Heliotrope Architects has designed an upscale Italian eatery in downtown Seattle with clean lines, various tones of wood and a secret room tucked behind a one-way mirror.

Cortina is located at the base of Two Union Square, a prominent office tower in downtown Seattle. The restaurant's north-facing storefront, which stretches 100 feet (30metres), has large windows that usher in natural light while giving passers-by a glimpse of the interior.
Built with an L-shaped layout, the 7,000-square-foot (650-square-metre) restaurant has three distinct zones. The foyer and bar are situated in one leg, while booth-style seating and a secret dining room occupy the other. A lounge was placed at the corner, where the two legs meet.

Designed by local studio Heliotrope Architects, the restaurant is intended to have a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. All rooms have a highly disciplined appearance, with lines that are "crisp and clean". "The architecture exploits the very long rooms by using a repetition of form and fixture to establish a rhythm to the design akin to a musical beat," said the studio.

The team used neutral colours and earthy materials, including various types of wood. White-panelled walls are paired with red oak ceilings. Underfoot, wide-plank flooring is made of white oak ? a material used for decor as well.

"Detailing is simple but executed at a very high standard, focusing on the inherent beauty of the natural materials and subtle...