yinjispace

INTERIOR
Erased Studio
PHOTOGRAPHY
Erased Studio
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

OKEN is a cocktail bar hidden in the basement of The Merode — a private social club housed in a 17th-century mansion in the heart of Brussels.

Originally a parking structure, the space features a massive, imposing framework. The key architectural gesture was to conceal this structure by introducing a composition of volumes of varying heights and mobility, defining the space, creating shifting perspectives, and forming intimate moments.

These elements shape an interior landscape, offering a diversity of seating experiences and atmospheres. The bars are conceived as long, low monolith. — understated yet sculptural — celebrating the craft of cocktail-making and highlighting the precision of each movement. The boundary between guest and bartender is intentionally blurred, encouraging direct and transparent interaction.

Light surfaces along the walls take the place of windows, casting a gentle, amber-hued glow across the perimeter. Materials were chosen for their raw, mineral qualities, creating a thoughtful contrast with the large contemporary luminous panels that diffuse a soft, enveloping light.

The poetry of the space emerges from the delicate balance between textures and subdued illumination — producing an atmosphere that is rich, sensory, and quietly elegant. A place where architecture, light, and craft converge to shape a distinct, memorable experience.

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