The historic building at Engen, part of Bergen's cultural district, was restored to preserve its architectural heritage and transformed into a premium steakhouse. Engen approached us to craft a brand and visual identity honouring the building's rich history, from courthouse to temperance house. We created a brand that seamlessly blends this cultural legacy with contemporary dining, capturing the essence of "a house where stories are made" and continuing Engen's unique narrative.

Creating a new visual profile for a space still under renovation required careful consideration of the evolving architectural and interior design elements. Working closely with the interior designer from Baus Arkitektur was essential to ensure that the brand identity complemented and integrated with the physical space.

The process required comprehensive research, from market trends to design history. It involved interactive workshops and close collaboration with the client and architects. We developed mood boards, visual elements, and initial sketches, embracing the concept of "a house where stories are made." This identity features visually striking illustrations and a rich brand story encapsulating Engen's past and promising future.

Debora Szpilman's layered and hand-drawn illustrations vividly bring to life stories inspired by Engen's history and future, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the design. Each menu features an illustration and story connected to its content, creating a unique narrative experience for patrons.

We selected the colour scheme to align with the overall mood and interior design inspiration. We chose various fonts to convey different tones and visual styles, adding contrast and texture. Additional graphic elements provide visual interest and flexibility for multiple applications. We developed a simple, elegant website with Agenta in the final phase. The brand identity package included the logo, fonts, colour schemes, communication guidelines, and visual identity applications for signs, menus, and social media templates, ensuring Engen's cohesive and engaging brand presence.

– With history woven into the very fabric of the building and its transformation into a true architectural gem, we needed to craft a restaurant of the highest calibre. An essential aspect of the project was the close collaboration between the agency and the architect, which was crucial as the brand guidelines needed to be finalised before the building's completion.

Their impressive work with the Britannia Hotel in Trondheim largely influenced our decision to partner with Nonspace. We found it to be robust, meticulously planned, and cohesive.

The feedback from guests regarding the brand profile has been overwhelmingly positive, says the general manager at Engen, Ellen Nilsen.

Illustrations: Debora Szpilman
Restaurant photos: Silje Bryn Knutsen