Julien 餐厅室内设计丨Mod.Nouveau

Julien

Year: 2022

Location: Chisinau, Moldova

Designed by Mod.Nouveau

Photography: Oleg Bajura

Concept:

before photos:

Result

Main dining:

Idea of the project was to create something new on old bones and keep the old spirit of the space.

Architects worked with archive photos of the historic interior recreating some layouts and wall openings. Minimum demolition occurred and was related to finishes only to increase sustainability of the project.

Main hall didn’t have enough natural light and to solve that issue with out touching historic building facade architects used mirrors on window jambs to increase insolation.

Old ceiling was reused with some adjustments and became a clear surface for visual projections during the evening shows.

Chandeliers in the space are refurbished and belong to the building for decades.

Design was based on the story behind the concept of the restaurant itself. Architectural task was to recreate an “old family house” with a touch of time and some flashbacks of the past. Main hall contains several areas for different users based on their preferences of recreation.

The feature of the space is a big communal “family” table. Millwork cabinets on each side of the table are infilled with family china showing all the respect to traditions and history of the cuisine.

This table is dominant of the space and is a place where everyone gets together for a meal and to socialize.

Seating along the windows is designed for singles who prefer to “watch the life”, also can be used for couples who would like to hide in a little cocoon of mirrors and just enjoy each other.

Traditional French banquette seating is created along the walls, and it is flexible in seating arrangements to accommodate any companies.

Two symmetric built-in glass showcases are created as a reverence to the glory of the old days.

Speak easy:

Second hall of the restaurant is a speak easy bar. The idea was to create a space with a feel of an old library/old English club where you don’t need to worry about anything just have a drink and chat with your friends or even complete strangers. Place where lights are dimmed, and you can be yourself.

An accent of that area is a little “Red” room inspired by “Twin Peaks” TV show from the 90s era, a space that let you open your mind to other realities and maybe finally discover Your true self without filters and masks.

The final parts of the project are “red corner” and “red alley”. One is a corridor space that leads to the restrooms and the other is an outdoor patio in the alley. This is a story about active life, about late evening talks and words that travel from outdoors and become a history on the walls indoors, changing and infilling the space with wishes and client’s gratitude reflected in letters and notes.

Speak easy bar is created and furnished with refurbished objects and furniture that belongs to the owners of the building since 20th century. Even demising partition between speakeasy and vestibule was created from traditional craftsmanship doors and windows salvaged from Edineț District.

Light fixtures in that space were handcrafted by a lighting designer from Kharkov and delivered on site even during hard times in March 2022.

Thank You!