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VIS VAN A
AntwerpSeafood restaurant & shop on the banks of the Scheldt
The former warehouse along the Scheldt was redesigned and divided into different zones, each with its own unique experience and atmosphere. The concept is based on a clear narrative, in which the visitor enters the building via the quay, where the fish market is located. From that point, a gradual journey unfolds, leading ever deeper beneath the water’s surface.
Project information
| Project |
Project
Fish from A |
|---|---|
| Location |
Location
Antwerp (BE) |
| Client |
Client
Bart De Pooter |
| Year of construction |
Year of construction
2024 |
The former warehouse along the Scheldt was redesigned and divided into different zones, each with its own experience and atmosphere. The concept is based on a clear narrative, in which visitors enter the building via the quay, where the fish market is located. From that point, a gradual journey unfolds, leading ever deeper beneath the water’s surface.
As you walk further into the space, the atmosphere subtly changes: you first pass the sushi bar, followed by the cocktail bar, where the transition to the deeper sea becomes palpable. Eventually, you arrive at the heart of the concept, where the deep ocean and the imposing presence of the whale take center stage. The return journey takes you past the mysterious jellyfish room—which serves as a liminal space—until you reach the deepest point of the ocean. There, in the realm of the octopuses, are the restrooms. In this way, a functional route is transformed into an immersive, spatial experience in which architecture and storytelling go hand in hand.
All materials used are inspired by the colors and nuances of the ocean, ranging from deep blues and green-gray hues to subtle sand and stone tones. In addition, materials with a weathered, lived-in appearance were deliberately chosen, as if they had lain underwater for years and been shaped by currents, salt, and time. This patina and these textures reinforce the sense of authenticity and depth, contributing to an atmosphere that feels both mysterious and natural. The result is an interior that does not literally replicate the experience of the underwater world, but translates it into space and material in an abstract and tactile way.
