© 2010 Concept sketch by Ralston & Bau.

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Ralston & Bau are in the beginning of a new project: to design a 500 m2 hotel on the west coast of Norway. Our challenge and mission is to create a special place close to the values of our client; authentic living, foods and sustainability. The original building, a barrels factory is being replaced by a same size new structure using beautiful existing wood beams and a full glass front catching the sun for energy in it’s solar modules.

The design studio is commissioned for concept development, architecture and interior design.

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Bespoke furniture completed the interior of the intimate “Sous les Cerisiers” restaurant in Paris. The monumental bar, in the middle of the room, provides generous space for the Sakura cooking courses. Layers in bright and dark colors building the top in which a sink and a stove are integrated. The used material, a mix of granulated recycled plastic mixed with a polyester based plastic, has lovely natural details in itself and is 100% recyclable.
The tabletops of the dining area are made of the same material – in creamy tones for the bright area, in grey and brown for the dark. Small pieces, on top added, build a mini stage for japanese sauces and delicacies.

To see the whole interior of the restaurant click here, for the Sous les Cerisiers identity click here.

www.souslescerisiers.com

Name: Sous les Cerisiers
Mission: Japanese-french Restaurant
Client: Sakura Franck
Period: 2008-2009

Delivery: concept, interior design and development, material selection, furniture design, identity.

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This intimate space in Paris is dedicated to a balanced fusion of Japanese and French gastronomy was designed by Ralston & Bau. “Sous les Cerisiers” (under the cherry trees) is your invitation to taste the delicious cooking of Sakura.

Both cultures have influenced the interior concept. A deep theatrical influence on the surroundings, typical in Japan and France, can be seen through the layers of scenography, costumes and shadows cast throughout the interior. A contrast of dark and light divides the room into two parts: the bright space with the bar as a center point is used for cooking courses during daytime, and the dark part, following a perspective angle, where the guests are placed to enjoy a gastronomic menu at night. Moveable and translucent walls separate the seating areas for privacy.

The official launch of the restaurant took place the 22 of September 2009.
To see details of the restaurant furniture click here, for the Sous les Cerisiers identity click here.

www.souslescerisiers.com

Name: Sous les Cerisiers, 10, rue Stanislas, Paris 6e
Mission: Japanese-french Restaurant
Client: Sakura Franck
Period: 2008-2009

Delivery: concept, interior design and development, material selection, furniture design, identity.

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© designed by Ralston & Bau / all right reserved

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The theatrical influence from the interior design is continued in the development of the visual identity of the “Sous les Cerisiers” restaurant. A traditional looped textile costume clasp was the inspiration for the logo. The menu cards golden paper follows up the costume idea: assembled with delicate ribbons binding the changeable menu sheets inside. Each menu uses a different style of classical theater costume ribbon.

To see the whole interior of the restaurant click here, for details of the restaurant furniture click here.

www.souslescerisiers.com

Name: Sous les Cerisiers
Mission: Identity for Japanese-french Restaurant
Client: Sakura Franck
Period: 2008-2009

Delivery: concept development, interior architecture, furniture design, brand identity,
profiling documents.

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The concept development and design of this former East Finmark caravan park has transformed it into an internationally acclaimed luxury resort and the first Norwegian member of Design Hotels TM. The Other Side is inspired by the local Samé culture, the sport of dog mushing and the ornamental richness of nearby Russia.

The world of the owners was of great inspiration to the concept of The Other Side.
They are both experienced adventurers and dog mushers.

Twelve Element Houses are positioned in groups of three, providing private housing. Each are designed following the basic elements of the Samé culture; wind, fire and water. Outside the houses, the visitors confront nature; experience the magic of the midnight sun in summer, the Northern lights and the extreme cold of winter.

Neiden is situated only a few kilometers from the Russian border. Just next to the plateau there is an unique orthodox chapel. The project is under development.

www.theotherside.no

Name: The Other Side
Mission: Design Hotel
Client: Merethe Mikkola and Bjørnar Bjørkhaug
Period: 2005-ongoing
Delivery: strategy, concept development, interior architecture design,
interior design and development, brand identity and profiling, illustration

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Ralston & Bau designed Transplant, a new Norwegian innovation and design center in Dale i Sunnfjord, which opened in August 2007. The building itself was developed by the former Renzo Piano architect Attila Eris who also designed the Paul Klee center in Bern, Switzerland.

The building
Ralston & Bau designed and developed the concept of Transplant, the interior of the building, the facade and the visual identity.

Paper wall
Ralston & Bau worked together with Duralmond, a Spanish based company, on the design and development of the facade of Transplant. It is inspired by stacks of paper and was designed exclusively by Ralston & Bau and for Transplant in 2006.

Think & Share
Transplant is a platform where design, art, music and new materials work in unison. This is a space for freedom of thought, experimentation and adventures involving all human senses in an unique surrounding. Ralston & Bau incorporated three wings into the design of the building, each around 200m2, to represent each aspect of their dream idea factory: one wing is to think, another one to experiment and share, and a final wing to shape.

Name: Transplant
Mission: Design Competence Centre
Period: 2005-2007
Delivery: concept development, interior design, furniture design, facade design, visual identity

photos: © 2009 Vegard Fimland

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Sur un Arbre Perché is a restaurant in Paris. The concept is based on a fable by Jean de la Fontaine,
“The Crow and the Fox” and proposes a space based on childrens dreams and contemporary comfort.

Just next to the heavy traffic of a Parisian boulevard, the restaurant presents a breath of fresh air with Nordic inspirations. Wood from a 200-year old barn has been utilized to create intimate spaces on different levels.  The white tree is placed centrally in the restaurant, spreading its leaves throughout the whole space. On the entry level it is covering the ceiling, on the first floor it is painted on the floor.
From the tree, four rocking chairs are hanging to receive guests for a relaxing meal for two. These seats are always reserved. The restaurant has several levels that create secluded intimate spaces. Sails diffuse and make the lighting more indirect. The Nest chair and table for 2 or 4 person was especially designed for this restaurant and are made out of rought iron and polyethylene.

Sur un Arbre Perché is a restaurant which offers different pleasures.
The restaurant includes a Tea and Shiatsu salon.

www.surunarbreperche.com

Name: Sur un Arbre Perché
Mission: French Restaurant
Client:
Period: 2002-2005, 2007
Delivery: concept development, interior architecture, profiling, web design, furniture design
See also: Nest Chair

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Sur un Arbre Perché has been selected as “One of the most unique Restaurants in the word” in their selection “Extreme Restaurants” in 2009. Read more here …

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Nest chair was specially designed for the “Sur un Arbre Perché” restaurant in Paris. The chair, as well as the restaurant, is inspired by Jean de la Fontaines fable “The Crow and the Fox”.

The chair is produced in wrought iron and the pillow in natural latex.

www.surunarbreperche.com

Name: Nest Chair
Mission: Furniture for Sur un Arbre Perché
Client:
Period: 2002-2005
Delivery: furniture design and development
See also: Sur un Arbre Perché

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An old warehouse that has been transformed into comfortable apartments that are available for tourists to rent in Dale in Sunnfjord.

From the choice of colours to the names of the apartments and the images on the walls, inspiration came from the old steam boats that used to dock at the Dampskip ekspedisjon. A warm interior that maintains a distinct touch of simplicity. The D/S chairs and tables were especially designed and manufactured for D/S Ekspedisjonen and have been awarded for the Norsk Form prize 2005.

www.dsekspedisjonen.no

Name: D/S Ekspedisjonen
Mission: The House on the Dock
Period: 2005
Delivery: concept development, art direction of interior, profiling, furniture design
See also: D/S Chair and Table

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These tables and chairs were especially designed and manufactured for D/S Ekspedisjonen, an old warehouse that has been transformed into comfortable apartments for tourists in Dale I Sunnfjord. The inspiration came from the old steam boats that used to dock at the Dampskip ekspedisjon. Both chairs and tables are produced in massive oak. They are divided by a strip of sikaflex, which is inspired by the deck of a ship.
D/S Table and Chair: awarded Norsk Form prize 2005
(the nice cat on the picture is called Sushi and he begins to like fish)

www.dsekspedisjonen.no

Name: D/S Chair and Table
Mission: Furniture for D/S Ekspedisjonen
Period: 2005
Delivery: concept development, art direction of interior, furniture design
See also: D/S Ekspedisjonen

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L´Auberge Ravoux was the last place Vincent van Gogh lived. Here he painted 70 paintings in 70 days, whereof many are considered to be masterpieces. Auberget has thousands of visitors every year. It has also got an excellent kitchen. After five years of Art Direction for La Maison de Van Gogh, we designed this food/art book for a publisher in NYC.
It got the ” Design Award” in San Diego in 2002 by the IACP, International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Name: La Maison de Van Gogh
Mission: Art Direction & Food/Art Book
Publisher: Artisan Books
Period: 1995-1999 & 2001
Delivery: concept, art direction, graphic design

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Malmlaft is one of the leading timber house producers in Norway. We were asked to look in to the future and develop a fresh concept and strategy for the company.

Name: Malmlaft
Mission: Neotimberhouses
Period: 2006
Delivery: concept development, strategy

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The Taillevent in Paris is the oldest three star gourmet restaurant. It also has one of the most famous wine cellars in the world. The client wanted a wine catalogue that had the quality of an art catalogue for mail ordering their wine. The illustrations communicate the mystical atmosphere of the wine cellar through images of the wines shadow.

www.taillevent.com

Name: Les Caves Taillevent
Mission: Wine Catalogue
Period: 2002
Delivery: concept development, art direction, graphic design

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Hôtels & Préférence is a network of privately owned properties with more than 130 superb hotels and resorts in locations all around the world. The portfolio of Hôtels & Préférence is comprised of specifically chosen properties to meet the unique interpretations of indulgence. Each member is selected based on their contrasting style, eclectic atmosphere and superb location as well as their tradition to uphold excellent standards of amenities and service.

www.hotelsandpreference.com

Name: Hôtels & Préférence
Mission: Hotel Branding
Period: 1999
Delivery: branding & identity, signal