Restaurant Iris / NORM Architects + Kvorning Design

Architects: Kvorning Design, NORM Architects
Area: 1000 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Restaurant Iris
Manufacturers: &Tradition, Dedar, J. L Møllers Møbelfabrik, JAB, Løvfall, Norm Architects, Tjerand Fine Furniture
Builder: Marketex Marine OÜ
Category: Hospitality Architecture, Restaurant
Interior Architecture: Norm Architects
Interior Vision: KIND Conceptual branding AS, Michelsens AS
Bim Coordination and Design: HEUT Deisgn OÜ, Upstairs OÜ
Owner: Eide Fjordbruk AS
Concept Design: Kvorning Design, Creative Technologies AS
Basic Design: Maritime Engineering
Detailed Design: Trium OÜ
General Contractor: Fluctus AS
City: Rosendal
Country: Norway

Restaurant Iris dining project designed by Norm Architects in collaboration with Kvorning Design in Rosendal, Norway has redefined immersive gastronomic experience within a floating architectural landmark. Housed inside the Salmon Eye installation on the Hardangerfjord, the Michelin-starred restaurant combines sustainable culinary philosophy with a refined spatial design. The ellipsoid stainless steel structure, resembling a salmon’s eye and designed by Kvorning Design, contrasts with Norm Architects’ warm, tactile interior of walnut wood, soft lighting, and curved bespoke furnishings. The design emphasizes flow and intimacy, using strategic spatial division and natural materials to ground guests in the Nordic landscape. The table setting, echoing the fjord’s textures and tones, enhances the sensory link between food and environment. More than a restaurant, Salmon Eye functions as a 1000 sqm aquaculture visitor and education center, clad in reflective steel scales and positioned visibly offshore near Rosendal.

Restaurant iris / norm architects + kvorning design

Situated within the floating art installation Salmon Eye and surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Hardangerfjord in Norway, the Michelin-starred Restaurant Iris offers guests an experience centered on sustainable gourmet cuisine. The interior, designed by Norm Architects, thoughtfully contrasts with and enhances the innovative ellipsoid structure created by Kvorning Design. A cohesive combination of bespoke furniture, soft lighting, and natural materials establishes a warm and intimate atmosphere within the building’s expressive steel geometry. After arriving at Restaurant Iris via a memorable boat journey, guests are served a fixed tasting menu that highlights sustainability, regional ingredients, and the diverse marine life below the surface. The dining experience is complemented by sweeping panoramic views of the fjord, glaciers, and surrounding mountains.

The interior of the restaurant is designed to both contrast with and complement the innovative and distinctly brutalist architecture of Salmon Eye. The flowing curves of the space are paired with bespoke furniture that aligns with the room’s smooth arches, intentionally avoiding standard rectangular forms. Thoughtful design elements such as portable lamps, custom carpets, and built-in service stations integrate effortlessly with the architectural framework, supporting a natural spatial rhythm. The overall atmosphere is defined by a deliberate juxtaposition. While the bold steel structure conveys strength and contemporary character, features like walnut wood, soft carpets, and upholstered furnishings introduce warmth and a sense of comfort, creating an inviting, domestic ambiance. Positioned against the vast ocean landscape, the interior provides a sense of intimacy that contrasts with the often severe Nordic climate.

To cultivate a stronger sense of intimacy within this distinctive setting, the previously open space has been deliberately divided into smaller, more inviting areas. This spatial strategy introduces a clear hierarchy and encourages a sense of discovery, allowing guests to experience the restaurant’s design gradually rather than encountering it all at once upon arrival. Natural textures and the fluid lines of walnut wood, in combination with bespoke furniture and softly curved forms, contribute to an atmosphere of comfort and coherence. This careful use of organic materials enriches the tactile experience and reinforces a connection to the surrounding natural environment, underscoring the restaurant’s dedication to sustainability and sensory engagement.

The table setting pays homage to the Nordic environment, incorporating natural materials, earthy colors, and a minimalist design language that reflects the unrefined beauty of the Hardangerfjord. This approach enriches the dining experience by anchoring guests in the local landscape and establishing a context that celebrates the strong connection between nature and cuisine.

Beyond serving as the home of Restaurant Iris, Salmon Eye functions as a striking floating aquaculture visitor and information center positioned just off the coast of Rosendal. The structure, measuring approximately 1000 square meters, is an architectural feat conceived by Kvorning Design. Its exterior is clad in stainless steel scales that replicate the shimmering, silvery skin of a salmon, causing it to gleam prominently within the fjord. The building’s ellipsoid form, reminiscent of a fish’s eye, gives it a distinctive identity and makes it a recognizable landmark visible from great distances, including from the air.