Block by Dylan is a lunch & brunch restaurant located in the center of Helsinki, right next to the Kauppatori market square. Behind Block is restaurateur Kim Heiniö, who in the past years has opened multiple restaurants all over Helsinki. Block by Dylan is the fifth restaurant in the Dylan -family, and yet it is unique and different from the others because of its central location and elaborate interior.

The restaurant space has been designed by designer duo Suvi-Maria Silvola & Laura Seppänen. The spacious restaurant is divided into two large areas, which are separated into different levels by a couple of steps. The upper space has an inner court yard with a ceiling height of over 20 meters, which makes the quiet milieu unique. All together the architecture of the whole building in itself is very glamorous, with its upscale surfaces such as solid oak floors and ceiling, marble finishings and granite pillars.

Silvola & Seppänen added some vivid colors to the walls to refresh the neutral color palette. This way the typical Scandinavian minimalism and clean lines meet brisk tones and shapes. The interior decorations offer interesting details such as wooden 3D wall sculptures and graphic designer Jenni Ritamäki’s grayscale artwork. The goal was to achieve an urban and relaxed feeling to match with the clean and modern appearance. Petite metal structure brings contrast to the solid oak fixtures. Airy tubular shape can be seen in the furniture and lighting, but also in the white wall nets that are meant for hanging things. Design classics sit together with new and less known furniture designs.

Designers Silvola & Seppänen have been working together on many different projects. Currently keeping themselves busy with hotel- and restaurant interiors, and one large-scale design concentration in the Arctic Circle.

Design: Suvi-Maria Silvola & Laura Seppänen
Photography: Pauliina Salonen