FOR Jess & Christy,

Many can relate to the post-meal drowsiness, a sensation so familiar that Italians even have a word for it. When you yearn for a cozy nap after lunch, you’re having the “abbiocco”. For Jess and Christy, owners of a restaurant serving fresh, Italian-inspired cuisine since its inception in 2015, ‘l’Abbiocco’ sounded like the perfect name. Their eatery offers an inviting ambiance where patrons can savor not just delicious food, but moments that nourish the soul with friends and family. Or to put it in the words of the hostess: ‘Food that feeds soul’.

However, when the original establishment turned out to be too small, the couple decided to relocate their eatery to the ground floor of the Heldentoren in Knokke. At the top of their wishlist was creating an intimate vibe with a delightful balance between southern nostalgia and a contemporary sense of the present. Despite the new building being three times larger, Jess and Christy aimed to maintain the same authentic, cozy atmosphere as in the original restaurant.

The concept’s cornerstone lies in a bold fusion of colors, materials, and structures within an open setting. Soft hues like mint and terracotta, complemented by a vivid cobalt, infuse the space with Mediterranean exuberance. Dining unfolds on two tiers: convivial and communal. Long tables, reminiscent of Italian sagras, foster lively camaraderie and spontaneous conversations. Intimate gatherings are facilitated by smaller tables, accentuated by strategically placed curtains.

To amplify the feeling of coziness, we designed a burgundy-hued, geometric steel structure that doubles as a lighting element and a curtain suspension system.
The three-dimensional construction, following the XYZ axis system, also provides a playful organization for the layout of the space.