- Interior
Restaurant Haut in Ostend is skyrocketing. You may take that literally, as it is located on the 28th floor of SKY Tower One, but the interior also leaves competitors on the ground floor. Here, TJIP's interior designers proved once again that they and the sea have something special between them. With a panorama of the Belgian coast that is hard to match and a design that puts life downstairs on hold for a while, they succeeded once again.
Since 2012, Jakob Vyncke and Thomas Meesschaert have united behind TJIP, the studio through which they design projects that give impressive tangible form to their shared philosophy time and again. Spread at home and abroad, they are a sought-after name for property development, private residences, and hospitality concepts. Restaurant Haut falls into the latter category. Although the high location was a first, they were already practised in making beach views come into their full potential by making it a vital element of an interior design. They do this by prioritising the surroundings and ensuring that inside and outside enter into an intensive relationship with each other. When you enter one of their projects, they hope to make you feel like the rest of the world is temporarily fading away and you are completely absorbed in the special place they have created. There is no doubt that they can say so again this time. Together with the exceptional gastronomy of chef Dimitri Proost and maître d'hôtel Randy Degroote, they delivered an effort that resulted in a restaurant without equal. First and foremost, it was important that the organisational part was completely right. After all, the team had to be able to work their culinary magic smoothly, while the guests want to be fully immersed in the experience. Practicality, comfort and a logical flowing together of the different zones culminated in a floor plan that meets multiple priorities. 
The visual tranquillity from worked out proportions is enhanced by the view of the coast, and vice versa
The visual tranquillity achieved here through carefully worked out proportions is additionally enhanced by the view of the coast, and vice versa. In addition, the duo deliberately chose materials that, on the one hand, are in keeping with the existing assets of the location and, on the other, generate a stable harmony. Textiles and natural stone in sandy hues, warm veneers and, of course, extensive windows that let in daylight in all its glory, dominate the interior. To avoid the overall picture becoming monotonous, the designers selected dark suede for the upholstery of the benches. Although the intention here is to isolate yourself from everyday life downstairs, that definitely does not mean that there should be no connection to the outside environment. Therefore, during the day, the restaurant is bathed in abundant daylight that focuses your senses and makes the location part of the experience from start to finish. As soon as it gets dark, they use atmospheric lighting, and sometimes even candles. In the late hours, the place develops a special ambiance, as if you and the other diners are momentarily alone in the world. A special mention goes to the outdoor terrace and the secluded area for private dining. 
The creative minds at TJIP were the only right choice to give restaurant Haut in Ostend this serene interpretation. With this neat and purposeful interior concept, they gave this young gastronomic pearl by the sea all the tools it needed to make history. Those who enjoy getting to know the chef's finely crafted genius will do so in a setting that phenomenally enhances the whole experience.
Styling by Aurore Lameyre
Photography by Alice Mesguich
Text by Cara Jacobs