FZN by Chef Björn Frantzén is a one of-a-kind fine dining experience, inspired by the chef’s three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore.
Studio N worked with Bishop Design to produce a lighting scheme packed with layers and intrigue. From the cleverly choregraphed arrival sequence, through to the flair and ceremony of the chef’s table, every element of the FZN journey has been illuminated with purpose and imagination.
The entrance to FZN is deliberately subdued – a solitary downlight accents the restaurant’s inconspicuous door and entices guests within. On the other side of the door, a softly lit reception area is revealed, with diffuse lines of light in the ceiling that direct people through to the glowing reception desk at the end.
Guests are then led upstairs, where they are greeted by an upside-down tree, adorned with smoked crystals. This unexpected piece of artwork is framed by a circle of light from the ceiling, which lends it an otherworldly feel and creates a sense of anticipation for the experience set to come.
A corridor featuring a gallery of fruits and vegetables leads off from this space, and here the path is marked out by a sequence of downlights in the ceiling and discreet light fittings concealed in the plants. Backlit panels along the length of the walls elevate the everyday ingredients on display into objects of wonder.
As guests move into the heart of FZN – the show kitchen – a moody, high-contrast lighting scheme takes centre stage. Focused beams spotlight the chef’s table and transform the kitchen into a performance space, where every detail of the process is celebrated.
In the dining area, 10-degree narrow beam downlights cast halos of ambient light onto the tables below, and a stunning Bomma chandelier complements the proportions of the domed ceiling. The lighting design in this space has been integrated into the architecture to emphasise the decorative niches, the red tiles behind the joinery and the gold patterns across the dark walls.
