Prego in Łostowice, Gdańsk, is a restaurant designed by Paulina Kisiel of Studio Turbo. The venue was established in a neighbourhood lacking a commercial centre and was intended from the outset to serve as a place for everyday gatherings – not merely a dining spot. In the context of the Tri-City, where dining is mainly concentrated in historic centres, this project acts as a counterbalance: it demonstrates that a high-quality culinary experience can also be created in places where social infrastructure has previously been lacking.
In the Tri-City, dining is mainly concentrated in the historic parts of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. Łostowice, despite intensive development, remains primarily a residential area lacking in communal spaces. Prego fills this gap. The restaurant has become a place where residents pop in after work, for dinner with the family or a quick meet-up with neighbours. The project demonstrates that a well-designed interior can have a real impact on the quality of life in new neighbourhoods.
A well-organised and welcoming space
The interior of Prego is open yet retains its cosiness. On the right are benches with tables, on the left more intimate booths, and in the centre free-standing tables. The built-in furniture running along the axis of the premises organises the space and ensures privacy without creating rigid divisions.
The colour scheme is based on dark wood and terracotta tones, which create a southern atmosphere without literal references. Light highlights textures and curves, whilst mirrors visually enlarge the interior, responding to the changing movement of guests. All elements, from benches to booths, are made to measure, with soft edges and consistent divisions, giving the space a harmonious character.
An opportunity to meet
Prego does not operate as a fast-food outlet. It is a restaurant where you want to stay longer – to eat, chat and relax. In a neighbourhood lacking a natural commercial hub, the venue fulfils a function not envisaged by urban planning: it has become a hub for community life. Paulina Kisiel’s design demonstrates that an interior can serve as a catalyst for building relationships and fostering residents’ daily routines.
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About the architect:
Paulina Kisiel – architect, Creative Director and Design Manager with over 15 years’ experience. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Gdańsk University of Technology and of Design Management studies at SWPS. She spent a year at a London-based architectural practice, and in subsequent years worked at, amongst others, Studio Kwadrat and FORT Architekci, co-creating projects such as MTG Amber Expo, the Museum of the Second World War and Marina Gdynia. Between 2012 and 2021, she helped shape the programme and development of Gdynia Design Days, serving as coordinator and later as Creative Director. She represented Poland on the board of BEDA, an organisation promoting the strategic role of design in Europe. She was named Strategist of the Year 2017 by Design Alive magazine and received the ‘Czas Gdyni’ award for the renovation of the ‘Muszla’ amphitheatre . In her design work, she prioritises trust, knowledge-sharing and attentiveness to changing social needs. She views design as a transformative process, based on dialogue and joint development with clients.
project: Studio Turbo (https://www.studioturbo.pl)
photos: Emi Karpowicz
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