De Aarde, the new gastronomic restaurant of chef and owner Frédéric Chabbert, successfully combines refined French gastronomy, a calm atmosphere, and hospitality. Together with VERBRAEKEN x BISET architects, this philosophy was carried through into the interior, where Niko Toggle champagne steel coated and Niko Home Control discreetly enhance the overall experience. In this testimonial, we chat with Frédéric and Alexis from VERBRAEKEN x BISET.
What is the concept behind De Aarde and what role does the interior play in the overall experience?
Frédéric: De Aarde is all about allowing people to unwind and giving them a feeling of coming home, but in a thoughtful and refined way. Nothing is ostentatious, nothing explicitly demands attention, and yet every choice is deliberate. It's a form of understated luxury that isn't imposed on guests, but which they experience.
The interior is also part of that philosophy. It's not just decoration, but an extension of the concept. The clean lines reflect the purity of the dishes served in the restaurant. Everything is reduced to its essence, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the experience without distraction.
How did you, as an architectural practice, translate the concept of De Aarde into materials, colours, lighting, and finishes?
Alexis: In our perspective, De Aarde is based on a sense of calm, warmth, and refinement. We translated that into an interior that feels very natural, yet at the same time sufficiently layered and luxurious. The palette is built around natural tones, soft textures, and refined materials that convey a certain honesty.
Nothing is too loud, and nothing was added without purpose. The lighting follows the same principle; it creates depth, intimacy, and focus. Every detail is designed to contribute to that calm, intentional atmosphere. The Niko Toggle champagne steel coated finishings were therefore chosen very deliberately — tactile, durable, and timeless — so that guests are drawn into the concept through both their visual and sensory allure.
How did you come into contact with Niko, and what immediately appealed to you about the range?
Alexis: We were already familiar with Niko as a strong Belgian brand, but for De Aarde it was important to find solutions that could support the concept both technically and aesthetically. What appealed to us was the balance between reliability, design, and ease of use. The Niko range is broad, yet at the same time very detailed. It allowed us to select products that feel refined and discreet, but are also robust enough for the daily reality of a restaurant. That combination of Belgian quality, durability, good design, and practical intelligence felt exactly right for this project.
Why does the design of Niko Toggle suit this interior concept?
Alexis: The Niko Toggle design has a very tactile and recognisable quality. These are not flat, anonymous switches, but small architectural details that you consciously touch. That suits De Aarde very well, as we attach great importance to the detailing of materials, textures, and experience.
The design is simple and pure, but not cold. It has a certain refinement and craftsmanship, making the switching material part of the overall experience. The details feel almost like a subtle reference to traditional controls, but interpreted in a contemporary way. It's precisely this balance between timeless and modern that aligns perfectly with the interior concept and the building.
How does the champagne colour of the switching material connect with the materials and colours in the restaurant?
Alexis: We didn't want the switching material to create contrast or make a statement. It simply had to blend into the overall material palette, while still conveying a sense of quality. The champagne colour provides exactly the right amount of softness and elegance. It supports the understated luxury of the space without drawing attention to itself.
What role does Niko Home Control play in the overall experience at De Aarde?
Alexis: Niko Home Control plays an important role mainly behind the scenes. In a restaurant, experience is not only about what guests see, but also about how natural everything feels: the lighting, the atmosphere, the comfort, and the service.
With Niko Home Control, different atmospheres can be easily managed and adjusted to the time of day or use of the restaurant. Lunch, dinner, welcome moments, or closing moments each require a different ambience. The flexibility of Niko Home Control makes it possible to create the right atmosphere very intuitively, without it feeling technical. For us, that is essential; technology should support the experience, but must never become dominant.
Frédéric: It's essential. With the Niko Home Control system, we can control every aspect of the lighting with great precision, without it ever feeling technical or complex. Everything works intuitively and naturally, so the team doesn't need to spend time worrying about it. That is precisely where the added value lies. In our daily work, it creates calm and efficiency, allowing full attention to be given to the guests. At the same time, we can create the appropriate atmosphere at every moment.
This unique project was executed with care and expertise by the experienced installer Elodin BVBA, a specialist in Niko installations in listed buildings.