The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community
May 27, 2021
Text: Carlene Olsen
Croissants and Cats Inform the Design of a Russian Café
The walls of the café feature a combination of natural wood and custom artwork with cat details. Photography by Polina Poludkina.
In Zelenogradsk, Russia, a town that borders the Baltic Sea, cats reign supreme. The city is dotted with monuments to furry felines, job postings include calls for resident “cat chiefs” to monitor strays, and even traffic lights feature their silhouettes rather than the outline of human figures. Naturally, a café and patisserie in the area also pays homage to such four-legged friends—and, more surprisingly, beloved French pastries. When designing the Croissant café, local firm SHIBA Design Bureau turned to the region’s vibrant turquoise and ochre hues, infusing the space with color, plants, and booths that reflect the shape of its namesake buttery treat. Not to mention custom paintings of, well, cats.
A custom sofa encircles an existing pillar in the space with nearby light blue terrazzo tables. Sofa and tables are crafted by local furniture makers, technical lightning is by aledo-pro, and floor tiles are by Kerama Marazzi. Photography by Polina Poludkina. Greenery fills the space from floor to ceiling, creating a biophilic oasis. Photography by Polina Poludkina. An eye-catching lighting fixture mirrors the curves throughout. Photography by Polina Poludkina. Diners have plenty of seating options from cozy booths to moveable chairs by the window. Photography by Polina Poludkina. A view from behind the bar. Photography by Polina Poludkina. Bathrooms feature abstract cat-inspired paintings and natural wood decorations. Faucets by Paffoni and sinks by Villeroy & Boch. Photography by Polina Poludkina.
