At Locke Copenhagen, design studio A-nrd introduce a considered vision of contemporary Nordic hospitality; transforming the ground floor of the brand’s first Scandinavian outpost into a sequence of social spaces shaped by materials and everyday usability.
Located within Postbyen — the Danish capital’s former postal district, now undergoing significant regeneration — the project responds to both the scale of its architecture and the evolving identity of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Set inside a striking new-build defined by expansive glazing, terrazzo floors and exposed concrete, A-nrd’s strategy centres on softening the architecture through crafted furniture, layered zoning and an earthy palette informed by Copenhagen’s architectural landscape. Drawing on Danish design principles of simplicity, nature and domestic comfort, the studio avoids nostalgia, opting instead for a contemporary interpretation of Nordic warmth. Or hygge, as one would say up here.
Arriving at the reception, a sculptural desk clad in blue-grey volcanic lava tiles by ‘Made a Mano’, forms a tactile focal point against raw concrete surfaces. Handmade lighting, bespoke oak seating and graphic rugs developed with Warp Studio introduce a homely vibe within the open volume, while terracotta-toned curtains by Kvadrat, filter daylight and allow the space to shift between openness and privacy as the day goes on. Moving through the ground floor, lounge areas feature carefully placed joinery structures, planting and art interventions. A large wooden sculpture by Danish artist Tilde Grynnerup is a meaningful addition to the space; given her family’s historical connection to the former postal district.
The restaurant emerges as a planted ‘green oasis’, defined by varied seating heights and material contrasts. A peach-toned stone bar with a live-edge oak countertop adds warmth against exposed steel and concrete, while crescent-shaped banquettes form a sculptural centrepiece beneath softly diffused pendant lighting designed by A-nrd. Nearby, an open kitchen counter encourages informal dining and reinforces the project’s social focus.
Beyond, the café shifts towards richer tones, with cherry-toned timber veneer, handmade paper lighting by Céline Wright and relaxed banquette seating referencing Danish modernism and the calm familiarity of a neighbourhood bakery.
As founder Alessio Nardi explains, the challenge was “to introduce warmth and intimacy without diminishing that sense of scale,” translating Danish design values into a contemporary hospitality setting. The result is a fluid series of interconnected environments where architecture, craft and community meet, reflecting Copenhagen’s design heritage, the Nordic sense of hygge, and the forward momentum of Postbyen’s newest cultural hub.
Locke Copenhagen Photography, Cody Bamford.
