Colette Tim Raue Berlin | Ester Bruzkus Architekten

Tim Raue’s new brasserie, ”Colette”, can be found directly opposite KaDeWe, near Berlin’s busy boulevards of Kurfürstendamm and Tauentzienstrasse. Bruzkus Batek Architects developed the design concept for three brasseries – in Munich, Berlin and Constance – for this leading Berlin chef. In each individual case the design has been developed further to fit the existing conditions and floor plans on site, while retaining the reassurance of design homogeneity.

Famous Parisian brasseries are brought to mind in the décor, thanks to many items of historic furniture and built-in materials. These were selected from vintage shops with the aim of giving "Colette" the atmosphere of an established restaurant, right from the start.

The entrance is separated from the guest rooms with dividing walls of reclaimed industrial window elements. One’s attention is caught by the historic apothecary’s cabinets on the walls opposite the bar, which form the background for a good meal or a leisurely perusal of the day’s papers. These are complemented by the existing timber-coffered ceiling and by matching wall cladding.

Continuous benches with green leather upholstery are combined with small marble tables and antique brasserie chairs. Classic brasserie elements include enclosing brass rods running between the bench seating. In front of the generous bar with its brass top and timber slats are tables where guests are seated on reclaimed seating from a French train. The newly laid mosaic floor is a modern interpretation of traditional patterns.

Historic station lighting is suspended above the bar, while, in the dining area, modern pendant and wall lamps complement the brasserie lighting. The predominantly dark colour palette includes dark-gray walls and fumed-oak parquet flooring.