Llama, one of the first South American inspired restaurants to open in Copenhagen, was designed by a collaboration of designers: Kilo founder Lars Larsen, creative advisor Jonas Hartz of Hz, and BIG partners Jakob Lange and Bjarke Ingels.

Whilst drawing heavily on the culture and cuisine of many of the South American countries, including Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and also Mexico, the design team have retained a Nordic look and feel for the restaurant.

The space that is now Llama was a dark, impersonal basement for some years. Designers Larsen and Lange created an open space more suitable for a cosy restaurant. The walls and floors are lined with handcrafted Mexican cement tiles, melding traditional design influences from Latin America with Copenhagen cool.

A number of main themes run throughout the interior design, connecting linked experiences throughout the restaurant, and these include the use of colourful tiles, black furniture, a vibrant green wall, and brass light fittings.

From an architectural point of view, I think we have created a remarkable transformation – the main idea of merging two cultures has turned an interpretation of a traditional Latin American vernacular into a contemporary Copenhagen public space.

BIG Partner Jakob Lange.

Kilo founder and Head of Design Lars Larsen echoes Lange’s observations: “Llama is product of a strong creative team with an ambition to crate a strong social space in a span between South America and Copenhagen – the flamboyant and the understated merging to create a restaurant with an international feel rooted in Scandinavian heritage.”

Images © Llama