Challenge

Located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, this bar and restaurant offers a striking contrast to the dense urban environment dominated by high-rise buildings, financial institutions, and a bustling corporate atmosphere. Surrounded by sleek glass towers and the cold rigidity of concrete and steel, the space is nestled within the heart of the city. Positioned near major transit hubs and luxury retail, this venue serves as a sanctuary blending fantasy and nature in one of Toronto’s most urbanized districts.

concept

"ENCHANTED ESCAPE TO SURREAL BIOPHILA" To create a space transports guests into a surreal, nature-infused retreat where organic forms, layered textures, and atmospheric lighting evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. By seamlessly integrating biophilic elements with imaginative, fantastical design concepts, the project offers a unique escape from the urban landscape. Every detail combines to craft an unparalleled sensory experience into an otherworldly journey, immersing patrons in the enchantment of nature’s beauty.

SOLUTION

Petit Potato this restaurant is divided into distinct zones—Luminous Lagoon, Ethereal Forest, and Spiritual Cave— each offering a unique sensory experience. Organic forms, layered textures, and dynamic lighting create an otherworldly ambiance that transports guests from the fast-paced city life into a tranquil, biophilic retreat. Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere, carefully designed to define zoning and evoke the desired ambiance in each space. From the tranquil hues of the bar lounge to the dreamlike ambiance of the dining area and the dramatic, intimate aura of the final zone, each space is carefully illuminated to evoke its own sense of wonder and mystery. The lighting design subtly shifts between environments, from soft ambient glows to vibrant illumination, enhancing the immersive experience and guiding guests through a dreamlike journey where tone and mood continuously evolve.

OUTCOME

The “Luminous Lagoon” bar lounge is an ethereal, underwater-inspired space where vertical blue light strips mimic the soft glow of light through water, and a wavy, reflective ceiling amplifies the illusion of rippling waves. In the “Ethereal Forest,” the vine and cliff design element shapes the space, with rugged tiles evoking cliffs and cascading wood strips symbolizing vines. Five floating rock sculptures define spatial depth, while seven structural columns are transformed into tree-like forms, creating a nest-like structure. Around 600 fleck lights line the boundary, evoking a jungle by day and a firefly-lit sanctuary by night. The “Spiritual Cave” features a half-circle mirror reflecting the forest, with a mirrored ceiling simulating an upside-down sunset. Blue and orange lighting evokes a sun-and-moon effect, creating an immersive, celestial atmosphere that serves as a symbolic portal back to the forest.