Studio 74studio designed the interior of the culinary concept Futu Sushi in Bialystok. The restaurant, which has existed on the city map for ten years, needed a makeover. The owners wanted its new look to refer to Zen philosophy and Japanese cuisine. See the results of the transformation!
From a small interior facelift requested by the investors, a project was created that turned out to be a total metamorphosis of an already outdated interior. The main goal of the designers from 74studio was to recover the volume, remove the suspended ceilings and obtain the original height of the premises. This procedure allowed to enlarge the space, and the interior gained nobility and character, consistent with the 1960s tenement building in which it is located.
The interior of the restaurant is full of light
photo: Paulina Angielczyk © 74studio
As the authors say about the project:
Initially, the project was to include a slightly stronger facelift of the space, which would prepare the restaurant to operate for another ten years. The premises were visually outdated, with 3D panels on the walls and whites and grays. The floor was disfigured with wood-like tile of an odd reddish-brown color. The height of the premises was limited by a plasterboard ceiling built in years ago. The interior, despite its great location and good light, seemed dark and unpleasant. It definitely did not encourage people to stay in the restaurant for a long time. And this is primarily what our investors wanted to change.
Zen atmosphere in Bialystok
Another design task was to achieve a zen atmosphere. "A new zen in the city," as the restaurant's owners say, the designers achieved by using natural wood, complemented by white in the finishes. An important element is the chiaroscuro created by the different structures of the wall panels.
The chiaroscuro is created by differentiated wall panels
Photo: Paulina Angielczyk © 74studio
The whole is complemented by natural oak wood in various forms: the lamellas on the bar, chairs and tables. The dominant features of the interior are openwork structures made of Viennese braid and oak. A plaid dome is placed above the bar, occupying its entire width. It marks the divisions analogously to the floor and the materials used on it - terrazzo in whites and grays. The screen separating the entrance and the waiters' stand were also designed in the same form.
Natural oak wood completes the arrangement
photo: Paulina Angielczyk © 74studio
neon light
The white-wood ascetic space was broken with a graphic, luminous treatment in the form of neon signs, placed in the communication area and guest restroom. The color of the neon signs refers to the restaurant's visual identity. The gate at the entrance to the corridor, reminiscent of modernism, is also an interesting element. The whole creates the effect of a light-filled portal. According to interior architects from 74studio:
We also treated this treatment as a form of advertising, something surprising in this white interior, in order to make it interesting to passers-by, to encourage them to look inside.
A bookcase behind the bar with space for alcohol was designed in a similar form. The shapes complement each other and break the dominant straight corners of the interior. The result is a visually clean, bright and spacious place, alluding to the Zen philosophy.
elaborated by Dobrawa Bies
illustrations courtesy of 74studio
