Georgian Elegance: Modern Wine Restaurant in Moscow
Designed by architect Elena Lokastova in Moscow, the wine restaurant unusually reinterprets the atmosphere of Georgian architecture with modern touches. Instead of traditional Georgian ornaments, Pirosmani paintings and massive furniture, the architectural language expresses Georgian comfort through tactile materials, lightness of forms and accent colours. The specially designed mosaics and other carefully selected decorative elements used in the interior design of the space transform it from a wine restaurant into an art gallery.
In the entrance hall of the restaurant, a carpeted bar draws attention to itself among the textured plaster and thin tiles that extend throughout the entire project. This hall offers visitors a preview of the overall design philosophy of the space. The rooms on the first floor, on the other hand, constitute an architecturally quite unique design language. The walls, tables and even the sofa are almost exclusively glazed moulded mosaic ceramics that bring expression to the space. These ceramics add a touch of elegance and modernity to the space, redefining the traditional Georgian atmosphere in a modern way.
Furniture and lighting fixtures are either custom-made according to the architects' sketches or carefully selected from vintage markets. These choices provide both originality and historical depth in the space. In particular, the careful design of each detail makes the space perceived as a work of art. The staircase leading to the upper floor is partly covered with white plasterboard and in some places old brick walls appear inside the stairwell. This detail tells the story of the building, which used to be a rented residence in the 19th century, to the visitors and adds a historical depth to the space. In this way, historical layers are skilfully combined in the same space.
The upper floor of the restaurant has a different appearance than the lower floor. Here, concrete and tiles are replaced by wood and mosaics salvaged from an abandoned Soviet pioneer camp. These mosaics give the place an atmosphere reminiscent of an art gallery. Inside the mosaic-covered toilet, the architectural narrative changes dramatically. Modern reflective surfaces contrast with the bright red accents of the taps and door handles. These surfaces contrast remarkably with the emphasised man-made nature of the rest of the interior. Only the archaic shape of the taps recalls an image of catering halls.
Next to the fireplace on the top floor is a family-friendly area with armchairs and a long communal table. In this double-height space, the sprayed decorative fireproof ceiling is occasionally replaced with wood panelling. Thin tiles in the window openings reflect daylight, bringing softness and tranquillity to the room. This floor offers a warm and inviting environment where guests can spend time in comfort.
This wine restaurant project by architect Elena Lokastova is a carefully thought-out example of comfort with a modern interpretation of the traditional Georgian architectural language. The combination of tactile materials, lightness of form and accent colours creates both an aesthetic and functional balance in the space. Each floor offers visitors a unique experience with different materials and design approaches. The combination of mosaic and modern reflective surfaces, especially on the second floor, demonstrates how traditional and modern can harmonise together.
This project reinterprets the Georgian atmosphere with a modern approach, offering visitors both a visual and tactile feast. The specially designed mosaics used in the interior design of the venue reveal the unique character and sound of each stone, transforming the interior of the restaurant into an art gallery. This allows the venue to go beyond being just a restaurant, offering an artistic and aesthetic experience to its visitors. This wine restaurant stands out as a masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of architecture and interior design, combining both historical touches and modern design elements.
References: https://www.archdaily.com/965026/khachapuri-and-wine-interior-pravda-bureau-plus-elena-lokastova?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab