Royce

Interior Architecture- Small Scale (<5,000 sf)

Project Narrative

"Royce was my maternal grandfather. He was a working-class steel fabricator. Tough as nails, but thoughtful, classy, artful, and smart, he had many dimensions of character. He possessed both simple and haut taste.” -Terry Raley, proprietor

Occupying a highly coveted corner along Cincinnati’s most important public square, Royce presents itself as a modern interpretation of the classic French Brasserie. Borrowing from the brasserie tradition, Royce is designed as a social place to be visited with frequency, equally appropriate for an everyday meal as for a celebration. A cozy and welcoming material palette of rich red leather, deep dark cherrywood tones, and cool marble with brass accents, imbues an atmosphere that evolves seamlessly from daytime to night. A large streamlined bar fronts the square across the street, greeting guests with a large raw bar pantry at one end and a warm, inviting cocktail bar at the other.

The interior of Royce blends the elements of a traditional brasserie with the modernized forms that harken to the Art Moderne style. Horizontal, streamlined forms dominate the aesthetic of the space and are painted off-white to capture the changing light quality throughout the day. A separate bar room offers a contrast to the main dining room and draws inspiration from the rich, vibrant sunsets of the French Riviera. Bold patterns and lighting help transport bargoers while sipping their classic cocktails.

Through a clever sampling of traditional elements blended with a modern aesthetic, Royce posits what a French brasserie can truly be.