ТАЮ gelaterie
“ТАЮ” translates from Ukrainian as “I’m melting,” and the menu only includes ice cream and juices.
Whereas classic architecture is subject to strict rules and rhythms, modern non-linear architecture and metamodernist design are devoid of strict rules and are more daring in their use of materials and solutions.
The owners of cafes or restaurants often set the main goal to arrange as many tables for visitors. Often this has a bad effect on the interior.
The gelateria is in an old, historic building, which had a strong influence on the design and technical decisions. It is impossible to design without paying attention to the context. We were given ready-made, decorated ceilings. We decided to keep them and they became part of the overall concept.
So we placed the supply and exhaust vents behind the metal waves on the wall.
Those who have worked in old houses know that there are almost always limitations associated with old wooden floors. Because of this, any floor covering, except parquet, can get cracked. We chose microcement because it is a lightweight coating that does not put pressure on the floor. And the single surface of the floor without joints, allowed to shift the entire focus of the visitor’s attention to the walls and ceiling.
A big find and part of the challenge for us was a very richly decorated traditional ceiling, which we had already received ready-made. Our studio is not characterized by projects with this style, we like to work with modern design. So it was necessary to make the ceiling not just stay, but become part of the concept. The ceiling is the link between the interior and the house and its history.
We didn’t have a lot of space, and we needed to find a place to put the WC, leaving wide aisles. So we used the classic solution with lots of mirrors. When one wall is mirrored and the other consists of a light panel, the understanding of the space is lost, and it becomes more interesting.
We wanted people to feel, from the first steps, how they are captured and smoothly carried inside themselves by the new space, so we made an installation of light at the entrance, which with its powerful effect reconstructs a person from the street.
We designed and manufactured the fixtures for this project ourselves, because we couldn’t find any that matched the design concept. And while it usually takes about six months to develop a prototype, here we were able to create and produce everything in just a couple of months.
We hope that the war in our country will soon be over and we will be able to create new projects.
