Splendido, the latest project by the Public studio, has been created within the Towarowa 22 complex as a venue that combines the relaxed atmosphere of daytime gatherings with the dynamic energy of evening club life. Designed by Mikołaj Wojciechowski, Maciej Granecki and Maciej Kuratczyk, and developed in collaboration with the owner Karol Szafraniec, the project draws inspiration from the Italian 1970s, translating that aesthetic into the language of contemporary architecture.
The aim of the project was to create a venue that functions as a meeting place during the day and, in the evenings – particularly at weekends – seamlessly transforms into a dance club. The central element of this transformation is the DJ booth designed by Studio Public and the disco ball suspended above the entire space. Thanks to this, the interior can function in two modes, whilst maintaining aesthetic and functional coherence.
Inspired by the Italian 1970s
The designers drew on the energy of 1970s Italian design – bold colour combinations, striking forms and soft lines. At the same time, they were keen to ensure that the character of the interior remained in harmony with the modern architecture of Towarowa 22. The starting point was the motif of the circular skylights at the House of the Polish Word, also featured in the design by JEMS Architekci. Studio Public reinterpreted this motif in its own style, incorporating rounded forms into many of the furnishings.
The most striking example of this reinterpretation of the historical motif is the elliptical sofa positioned centrally within the space. Its shape is echoed in the fabric suspended above it, into which circular neon lights have been incorporated. Soft lines and geometric curves also feature in other elements of the interior, creating a cohesive, theatrical dynamism within the space.
Two zones and two atmospheres
The interior is organised around two areas differing in colour scheme and atmosphere. The lower section is decorated in light colours, giving it a sense of lightness and a daytime feel. On a raised platform is the club area, centred around a bar in a deep shade of dark red. In the evenings, it becomes one of the most striking features of the entire venue. Colourful, semi-transparent partitions allow the space to be subtly divided whilst maintaining its open layout.
Details
As with every Studio Public project, it is the details that define the final character. Individually designed lamp rings have been fitted to the structural columns, whilst patterned fabrics and numerous small-format tiles emphasise the interior’s eclectic aesthetic. References to 1970s Italian design are juxtaposed here with the contemporary architecture of Towarowa 22, creating a space with a distinctive identity.
For the palate
Konrad Czekański, the manager, is responsible for the quality of the cuisine, developing a dining offering that is in keeping with the energy of the interior. The combination of the original design and the refined menu makes Splendido one of the most interesting new additions to Warsaw’s dining scene.
design: PUBLIC
photography: Maja Bułkowska
craftwork: Rare Subject
See also: Warsaw | Restaurant | Interiors | Recommended | whiteMAD on Instagram
