Franz designed the 300-seat Toppa restaurant for Michelin chef Tommi Tuominen in the iconic former Enso-Gutzeit headquarters in Helsinki’s Katajanokka. The building completed in 1962 was designed by the architect Alvar Aalto and the building is known by the nickname Sokeripala.
The concept of the restaurant is to serve street food prepared with passion. Although the roots of the building and the street food are deep in tradition, they have both been boldly brought into the present day.
We wanted to respect the original architecture, but bring a surprising modern look to the whole and create a new design tradition. The project was implemented in strong cooperation with the Alvar Aalto Foundation and the Finnish Heritage Agency. The principles of the protected building brought their own addition to the design of the whole, because the hierarchy of the premises and materials had to be carefully considered. We wanted to respect Alvar Aalto’s legacy, but at the same time create something new and fresh.
The restaurant has a bright and spacious restaurant hall, which in its previous purpose served as a staff canteen. The part that used to be the management’s dining area was transformed into three unique cabinets and an atmospheric bar. The two smaller cabinets are decorated with Aalto’s original furniture, which we borrowed from the Alvar Aalto museum. In addition, the restaurant has a wonderful 80-seater terrace, which offers breathtaking views of both the sea and the rooftops of Helsinki’s cityscape.
CONTACT FOR MORE
MARKUS VIIPERI
+358 50 343 3074
MARKUS.VIIPERI@franz.fi