focketyn del rio studio completes parterre one bistro, restaurant & bar in basel

situated in the center of basel, switzerland, and prominently located in the kaserne area, several heritage buildings hosting cultural and gastronomic programming were disconnected and lacked a collective identity. this architectural ensemble needed profound refurbishment and repurposing. tasked with designing and finalizing this transformation, focketyn del rio studio proposed a masterplan for the whole complex. the architects first introduced a large, multi-functional concert hall in 2017 and recently completed the plan with a newly renovated restaurant and the introduction of a lavish courtyard which connects both buildings. now, the buildings of parterre ag, a cultural events and gastronomy entrepreneur that is deeply rooted in basel’s thriving art and music scene, radiate with a radically refreshed presence in the center of the city.

all images by adrià goula

the restaurant, already established as part of a flourishing gastronomical scene, is situated in a building which was originally military barracks. commissioned with its transformation, FDR studio chose to update the site while still preserving its historical character. ‘the original restaurant was furnished with dark floorboards and a big shelf showcasing books and magazines,’ says the team. ‘this simple space contained bold features which were difficult to discern due to storage spaces which blocked visual connections and affected circulation. in general, the atmosphere was cluttered by service areas. operating a bit like archeologists, we set out to recover the hidden potential of this space. we highlighted the original elements to carve a better future from the past.’

courtyard with concrete landscape

the architects restored the façade, recreating its image according to standards set forth by the heritage department. to address the varied heights of the separate buildings, FDR studio introduced a functional yet aesthetic concrete topography, allowing for accessibility and multiple social uses within a walled courtyard. the red color of the refurbished façade is maintained throughout the entire interior. public zones on both the ground and first floors reflect the same shade, warmly guiding visitors through the building.

public circulation staircase

the restaurant and the concert hall share a unified appearance on the outside, creating a coherent spectrum of colors and elements which produce an exterior facade with a distinct identity. inside, each building has an individual style and distinct characteristics, underscoring different histories and past functions. parterre one restaurant was designed to accentuate and recall a pre-existing identity, while parterre music offered a new identity to a space that didn’t yet exist. with parterre one music and parterre one restaurant, FDR studio has created a multi-purpose stage for performances, concerts, drinks, and food.

public circulation detail