Noma 2.0 Technical Information
- Architects1-6: BIG | Bkjarke Ingels Group
- Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Topics: Restaurants
- Area: 1,290 m2
- Project Year: 2018
- Photographs: © Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new NOMA dissolves the traditional idea of a restaurant into its constituent parts and reassembles them in a way that puts the chefs at the heart of it all. Every part of the restaurant experience—the arrival, the lounge, the barbecue, the wine selection and the private company—is all clustered around the chefs. From their central position, they have a perfect overview to every corner of the restaurant while allowing every single guest to follow what would traditionally happen behind-the-scenes.
– Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG
Noma 2.0 Photographs
Architectural Composition: Dissolving and Reassembling Functions
This collaboration between world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels and Chef René Redzepi, co-owner of NOMA, marks the culmination of a 14-year relationship. Both visionaries share a deep commitment to sustainability, creativity, and sensory experience. With NOMA 2.0, BIG redefines what a restaurant can be, dissolving the traditional dining format into a “culinary village” of interconnected pavilions, each serving a specific purpose and built with care to amplify both function and experience. At the heart of this unique design is the philosophy of placing the chefs and their craft at the center of the guest experience.
At its core, NOMA 2.0 is a collection of 11 separate yet interconnected buildings, each serving a distinct role. Rather than clustering all restaurant functions within a single space, BIG disperses them across multiple pavilions, forming a decentralized layout around the central kitchen. This innovative approach breaks the boundaries between the back and front of house, allowing the chefs, not just the cuisine, to be at the center of the dining experience.
Each pavilion is tailored to its specific function. The 40-cover dining room and adjacent private dining room are constructed from stacked timber planks that evoke neatly piled wood at a lumber yard. The use of timber brings a sense of warmth and tactility to the space, reminiscent of Nordic traditions. The expansive windows and a central skylight invite ample natural light, connecting diners to the outdoor per garden. The restaurant’s glass-covered pathways further emphasize this transparency and connection with nature, guiding chefs and guests from one pavilion to the next.
Through the design of these spaces, BIG successfully creates an intimate and immersive environment that reflects the spirit of NOMA’s culinary philosophy—one that is deeply rooted in seasonality, locality, and sustainability.
Integration of Nature and Architecture: Enhancing the Dining Experience
One of the most striking aspects of NOMA 2.0 is how the design integrates the natural environment into the dining experience. BIG’s approach creates a harmonious dialogue between the architecture and the surrounding landscape, enhancing both the dining experience and the space’s aesthetic appeal.
The dining room’s expansive windows and skylight draw the outside in, allowing guests to experience the natural shifts in weather and daylight. Whether it’s the soft light of a winter’s day or the bright, invigorating sun of summer, the dining space responds dynamically to its environment. The permagarden, visible from the dining room, reinforces the connection between food and nature, reminding guests of the seasonal ingredients that define NOMA’s menu.
The restaurant’s three glass greenhouses, which serve as a garden, test kitchen, and bakery, offer another layer of sensory engagement. Guests are encouraged to explore these spaces, witnessing first-hand the innovative techniques and natural ingredients in every dish. The greenhouses and the giant walk-in barbecue pavilion further emphasize NOMA’s dedication to sustainability, making the architecture an integral part of the culinary process.
Architectural Critique: A Bold Departure in Restaurant Design
NOMA 2.0 represents a radical departure from traditional restaurant design. BIG has redefined how restaurants can engage guests and chefs by decentralizing the restaurant’s functions and creating distinct, purpose-driven spaces. The concept of a “culinary village” breaks down the traditional barriers between front-of-house and back-of-house operations and allows for a fluid and seamless dining experience.
One of the most successful aspects of the design is how it fosters a direct connection between the chefs and the guests. With the chefs positioned at the heart of the restaurant, they have an unobstructed view of every part of the space, allowing for greater interaction with the guests. This transparency demystifies the culinary process and elevates the dining experience to something more personal and immersive.
However, this bold approach also presents certain challenges. The decentralized layout, while innovative, requires careful navigation. The interconnected glass pathways, although visually striking, may pose a challenge in colder months or inclement weather. Additionally, the emphasis on natural materials and transparency demands meticulous maintenance to preserve the pristine aesthetic.
Despite these challenges, NOMA 2.0 is a triumph of architectural design. Its bold departure from traditional norms, coupled with its seamless integration of nature, creates a dining experience that is both profound and engaging. The use of Nordic materials, the thoughtful layout of the pavilions, and the ever-present connection to the natural environment all contribute to a unique architectural language that embodies the spirit of NOMA.
Noma 2.0 Plans
Noma 2.0 Image Gallery
About BIG
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) is a renowned architecture firm founded by Bjarke Ingels in 2005. It is known for its innovative and sustainable approach to design. With projects spanning from cultural landmarks and urban infrastructure to residential and commercial spaces, BIG blends functionality with bold aesthetics to create human-centered architecture. The firm’s “hedonistic sustainability” philosophy emphasizes environmentally responsible design that enhances quality of life. BIG has gained global recognition for iconic projects such as VIA 57 West in New York, the LEGO House in Denmark, and the Copenhagen Waste-to-Energy Plant.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Partners in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Finn Nørkjær
- Project Leader: Frederik Lyng
- Interior Designers: Studio David Thulstrup
- Project Managers: Ole Elkjær-Larsen, Tobias Hjortdal
Collaborators: BIG Ideas, BIG Engineering, NT Consult, Thing&Brandt Landskab
Team: Olga Litwa, Lasse-Lyhne-Hansen, Athena Morella, Enea Michelesio, Jonas Aarsø Larsen, Eskild Schack Pedersen, Claus Rytter Bruun de Neergaard, Hessam Dadkhah, Allen Dennis Shakir, Göcke Günbulut, Michael Kepke, Stefan Plugaru, Borko Nikolic, Dag Præstegaard, Timo Harboe Nielsen, Margarita Nutfulina, Nanna Gyldholm Møller, Joos Jerne, Kim Christensen, Tore Banke, Kristoffer Negendahl, Jakob Lange, Hugo Yun Tong Soo, Morten Roar Berg, Yan Ma, Tiago Sá, Ryohei Koike, Yoko Gotoh, Kyle Thomas David Tousant, Geoffrey Eberle, Jonseok Hang, Ren Yang Tan, Nina Vuga, Giedrius Mamavicius, Yehezkiel Wiliardy, Simona Reiciunaite, Yunyoung Choi, Vilius Linge, Tomas Karl Ramstrand, Aleksander Wadas, Andreas Mullertz, Angelos Siampakoulis, Manon Otto, Carlos Soriah
