Architect：Studio Fluid

Location：Karađorđeva 61, Belgrade, Serbia; | ;

Project Year：2018

Category：Bars;Restaurants

Bistro Mali Pijac is located on the ground floor of Vučo’s House on the Sava River. Built in 1908 to the designs of architect Dimitrije T. Leko in, at the time, flourishing ‘Sava Borough’, Vučo’s House is a representative two-storey dual-purpose structure commissioned by merchant Đorđe Vučo. Premises on the ground floor housed shops, whereas upper floors were intended to serve as living quarters.

The interior’s division into public and private space has been preserved to date. Vučo’s House is listed as part of immovable cultural heritage and a landmark structure. In its immediate vicinity there is a cluster of other listed structures from the same period under the protection of the Republic of Serbia such as Belgrade Cooperative building, Bristol Hotel… In the early 20th century, a small farmers’ market (TN: ‘mali pijac’) came into existence in front of the house after which the whole neighbourhood was named. 

The floor plan’s indented shape features a central entrance area from which two narrow wings radiate out at an angle characterised by a considerable floor height with ceilings forming brick arches spanned by steel beams and supported by large brick columns. A section closer to the façade, with a considerable floor height, is intended for the restaurant/bistro’s guests, whilst inner sections are divided into two levels with less light in the interior designated as servicing premises such as toilets, kitchen, bar… The kitchen is located on two levels with a gallery overlooking the restaurant above the servicing area. Interior arches are treated as the façade, coated with solid wooden strips and encased in glass in the kitchen area. Thus, the kitchen is visible from the restaurant through the windows placed within the inner arches forming a part of the structure’s construction. 

The input on which the concept is based implied a restaurant which imperceptibly morphs into a bistro, opening up space for (a) future garden(s), with comfortable seating in a warm and pleasant environment, as well as a subtle hint of historical and cultural significance reflected through ethnic motifs interpreted in a contemporary space and setting.