Karavaevi Brothers Cafe 4 | Evgeniy Shchetinkin

The Moscow chain of Karavaevi Brothers cafés is gradually expanding. This fall, a new point in Sokolniki became the 42nd restaurant in the network and the 4th in the portfolio of the architect Evgeny Shchetinkin. The new restaurant is located close to the metro station and the park, in the newly renovated Sokolniki shopping center.

Initially, the client had their own vision about the design of the space, but the author of the project managed to completely reimagine the task and offer an original concept, putting it into the existing architectural context. Most of the restaurants are located in quiet alleys of Moscow, away from the busy streets, while the new one is right in the middle of intense pedestrian traffic, which will become even more active after the commissioning of the new metro line. The architect therefore decided to balance the space with the design, to protect it from the noises of the capital and create a warm, enveloping atmosphere inside.

The starting point for the concept of the new space was the American National Exhibition, which took place in the summer of 1959 in Sokolniki. The legendary exposition, which was visited by more than 2 million people, had a great influence on the formation of the mindset of an entire generation. Thanks to the exhibition, Soviet people were able to take a glimpse behind the Iron curtain. The area of 41 thousand square meters presented the achievements of the US industry: household appliances, vehicles, clothing, cosmetics and much more. The famous Kitchen Debate between Nixon and Khrushchev took place by the General Electric stand at the opening of this exhibition. The best minds and talents of the USA were involved in the organization of this large-scale event. George Nelson, the chief designer of the exhibition, created a large fiberglass umbrella for two pavilions and presented an exemplary American apartment. The main attraction was the geodesic dome designed by Richard Buckminster. The dome became a symbol of the entire exhibition complex in Sokolniki for many years to come. In the same pavilion, the premiere of the film “Glimpses of the U.S.A.” about the lives of ordinary Americans was shown. For the demonstration of this film, shot by Charles and Ray Eames, they built a circarama of 7 giant screens.

The concept of the new Karavaevi Brothers is based on the dialogue between the creativity of recognized architects and designers, their developments for the legendary exhibition in Sokolniki, and the rich architectural context of this district. DK Rusakova, the Burevestnik Factory Club by Konstantin Melnikov, Pasta Factory No. 1, Ding's mansion, a 1884 fire tower, old brick hospitals — most of these architectural objects somehow influenced the future palette of the interior.

The entire interior is an homage to timeless design icons and an endless dialogue between them and the historical architecture of Moscow. The shape of the polished brass shelf is inspired by the design of the main exhibition pavilion. This object, just like a mirror, reflects all the kitchen activity and the cooking showcase. The suspensions hint at the junctions of Fuller geodesic structures; wooden slat panels are designed according to the author’s drawings and the profiled sheet in the kitchen is a reference to the architecture of the Eames’ experimental house in California. The oval panels echo the Eames’ impressive video installation at the Sokolniki exhibition; the architect combined them with the recognizable wall clocks of George Nelson. The custom-made pattern of the floor tiles of the author's design is inspired by the diamond-shaped texture of one of the many carpets in the Eames house, the old brick building of the area where ceramic floors were used, as well as the modular honeycomb structure of the exhibition pavilions. Suspended clouds in the shape of rounded honeycombs made of polished reflective metal are another reference to Buckminster Fuller's architecture, as well as an allusion to Charles and Ray Eames' interest in all kinds of hanging structures that they used in the interior of their house, whether it was an upside-down painting, a papier-mache whale, Alexander Calder's mobiles or tumbleweeds. 

The choice of furniture and accessories for the project is motivated by the connection with American designers Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, whose legacy is reissued by the Swiss brand Vitra. In addition to the Nelson clock and Eames House Bird figurines, Jean Prouvet's Standard SP chairs, APC (All Plastic Chair) and Jasper Morrison's EVO-C chairs are used in the interior of the café.

The kitchen space is absolutely utilitarian, functional and monochromatic. The visitors' area, on the contrary, is full of materials, details, color and decorative accents. The cash register counter is decorated with natural patagonia quartzite, an abrasion-resistant, extraordinarily strong stone with an impressive volcanic texture. It seems as if the heavy block of the register hangs over the floor due to the effect of the built-in illumination in the base.The front of the food (or gastronomic) showcase is unusually wave-shaped and resembles a drapery of fabric. The Italian manufacturer had done a lot of tests and eventually got a special machine for the production of such complex geometry. The investment paid off: this fall, the innovative showcase was demonstrated at a profile exhibition in Milan and earned the experts’s approval.

All the materials used in the project are as natural, tactile and resistant as possible. The materials will age nobly, which is always very important in small public spaces with intense traffic. According to the architect, it is important that the interior remains relevant for at least 10 years: the Karavaevi Brothers cafés are made to last for decades and rarely undergo any changes.

The lighting concept in the project was developed by Solo Light Solutions using high-tech equipment of the German museum-level manufacturer ERCO, which made it possible to create a cozy atmosphere and keep decorative suspended structures (ceiling clouds) unchanged. The wall panels and the facing of the central column from a veneered rail of individual design are made according to the sketches of the author as well as other carpentry works by Ekzofloor.

Edited by Margarita Morozova, translation by Irina Patrikeeva.

+++ INFO +++

function: cafe, kulinariya
typology: interior
location: tc sokolniki, rusakovskaya str 31, moscow
client: ilovecafe
total area: 150 m2
status: completed
project: 04-06.2021
construction: 06-09.2021

architecture: arch department
team: evgeniy shchetinkin - author, senior arch,
anna selyanina - 3d viz, kirill shuvaev - tech drawings,
polina poludkina - photo

general contractor: sk globalstroy
kitchen equip: servisepro
ventilation: atmosphere
lighting: erco - solo light solutions, baro - fapeka
furniture: vitra, arper, pedrali
flooring, tiles: etruria, ce-si - pro tile
woodwork: custom made - ekzofloor
metalwork: custom made - osnova
stonework: custom made - liga kamnya
electrical equip: jung - tesli
hangers: muuto