Karavaevi Brothers Cafe 3 | Evgeniy Shchetinkin

This is the third project for the culinary chain of Karavaevi Brothers. This time the task was not only to make interior, but was also necessary to redesign the facade of the building.

The new site is located in a rather gloomy specific area surrounded by church buildings, spontaneous low-rise buildings and garages. The space itself was hidden inside the building block, but it had the advantage of open high perimeter windows and could easily be seen from the nearby crossroads (Krzhizhanovsky and Novochermushekinskaya streets). Therefore, the decision was to use the corner of the facade of a single-storey building as a bright, eye-catching shop window among the gray surroundings.

Functionally the space has an open kitchen, bathrooms and a space for visitors, the staircase is separated and leads to the second floor where the storage rooms and the exit to the roof are located.

The concept of the interior was expressed in the original interior mix, the nature of plastics, materials, colors, a variety of techniques and decorative solutions. We decided to fill the glass neutral building box with colored accents with unusual combinations of textures and materials visible from the street.

All interiors we made for Karavaevi Brothers  differ, but they are united by common techniques and use of non-standard materials both in the visitors' zone and in the kitchen area. The main materials: terrazzo, ceramics, metal and mesh, perforations, polycarbonate, color accents and many custom-made elements. At the same time, the materials were selected with a clear understanding of the operation of the premises in conditions of high traffic.

For example, a central counter of Dutch handmade tiles works like a coffee point and a visitor landing area, and a hidden additional storage of packaging at the same time. And it also performs an important zoning element, dividing the streams of people near the cash register. An impressive suspension console required the creation of a rigid internal frame. Externally, the stand is completely lined with unique ceramics with three-dimensional angular elements, which visitors eager to touch.

Another unique element is a suspended shelf above the display: the multifunctional design serves for storing a one-time package, the display of multiple paper package, and the neon letters inside serve as a menu. The design is assembled from transparent acrylic to facilitate weight. Externally, it is covered with an unusual chameleon semi-transparent film that animates the interior with its ability to change color and transparency depending on the angle of view, the time of day, the sun color, from yellow-green to blue-pink.

The  goal was to create a changing pleasant feeling for both people who come for breakfast, and those who dine at a later time. And also visually attract people from the near by streets.

The interior is literally filled with various curvilinear elements: a cluster of Magis clouds above the coffee rack are made of metal mesh, the silhouette of the ceiling yellow clouds created according to the architects sketches formed the basis of the curved MDF shelves on the polycarbonate wall and the shape of the mirrors in the bathrooms.

The walls of the bathrooms are faced with panels of glass with a pattern of perforation (exactly the same perforation is made on metal interior panels), into which the mirrors are integrated into a single seamless surface.

Suspended shells from terrazzo are designed and cast individually for this object, exactly the exact same texture and color of the floor.

We used professional light systems by Erco inside and outside and Baro in the kitchen area, accent and decorative light is represented by Deltalight, Kreon and Fabbian.

The frieze of the facade is lined with metal mirror panels, reflecting the surrounding landscape and the color of the sky. At different times of the day, it merges with the background of the sky and becomes almost invisible, which also emphasizes the bright glowing interior inside.

Karavaevi Brothers 3

Krjijanovsky street 22, Moscow

Area: 200 sq.m.

Architects: Evgeniy Shchetinkin, Leeza Semionova 

Photo: Dmitry Chebanenko