Café Muszelka is located at Zwycięzców 55 in Warsaw. The small premises exemplifies a great passion for high quality coffee, which can be enjoyed here accompanied by delicious breakfasts.
The Shell is 50 square metres in size. Its interior was designed by architects from the CUDO: studio. The restaurant operates in a modernist pavilion in Saska Kępa. A sister venue, Perełka, will soon open next door, designed by the same architects.
The speciality cafe Muszelka is distinguished by its large shop window. When designing the interior, the team at CUDO: remembered the possibilities offered by the glass. They also kept the name of the establishment in mind. Its design was therefore intended to be like a seashell, associated with warmth, the beach, the sea. They wanted to create a place that would be visited by guests of all ages.
The central element of the interior is the portal, which divides the premises into two parts. Its shape is inspired by the structure of the inside of a seashell.
In collaboration with Ekri, we created a special plaster that perfectly captures the pearly brilliance of the shell, providing the greatest decoration of the place. The result is a space with a unique character that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, creating an exceptional meeting place for the residents of Saska Kępa,” say the authors of the project.
The heart of the premises is the bar. The designers wanted it not to be just a separate structure, but to become an integral part of the space. The walls were covered with a delicate, beige plaster with a subtle structure, which gives the interior coherence. Microcement was also used on the surface of the bar, so that it seems to emerge naturally from its surroundings.
A considerable challenge was the small size of the premises. Therefore, in addition to the seats inside, the architects designed a terrace with additional seating.
The character of the interior is influenced by details. One original element is the garden fountain, which in the café functions as… a washbasin. Its ‘seashell’ appearance enhances the visual effect and is an attractive addition. Another is the wooden beads that act as shutters. Placed in the windows, they allow incoming light to be controlled and, in the interior, they allow the back room to be covered. Finally, the floor. This is an element from the original decoration that was discovered during the reconstruction. The find became an integral part of the design.
The CUDO team: is also responsible for the visual identity of the Shell.
photos: Almond Studio
design: CUDO:
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