Project name: Gloria Cafe
Interior design: ZIKZAK Architects
Project team: Nick Zykh, Ihor Yashyn, Mykhailo Sporievoi, Artem Tokma, Oksana Konoval, Ilya Veprik, Valeria Mostipan
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Area: 215 sq m
Year: 2023
Project description from design firms ZIKZAK Architects
Gloria Café in the business center is a unique space that combines the functionality of a business center with the tranquility of a city park. An oasis of calm and nature in the metropolis—this is the vibe you feel when you enter the café. The interior of the new venue was designed by the ZIKZAK Architects team.
The heart of the café is an island that serves as both a cashier and a coffee bar. It is enveloped in live plants and framed by warm lighting. The island is made of natural wood and green tiles that imitate grass sprouts. The plants in the café’s design are not just decorations but a way to visually “blur” the boundaries between civilization and nature. In the café, you can not only look at the interior but also touch it: feel the texture of moss, leaves, and the textured surfaces of the furniture and decor. It is a multisensory experience that helps ground you and distract from problems.
The ceiling was deliberately left with exposed pipes and ventilation ducts, painted green. This is not only a technical solution but also a conceptual one: the green ceiling supports the idea of an oasis. Pendant lights in the shape of spheres imitate morning dew or soap bubbles, adding lightness and playfulness to the space. The floor, made of natural wood in a sandy shade, is both an aesthetic choice and a tactile connection to nature. It feels pleasant to the touch and evokes the sensation of walking on a forest path.
For those seeking an even cozier corner, designers have created a zone with a soft sofa. A red woven panel on the wall creates a sense of relaxation in the garden, evoking associations with a hammock or picnic blanket. Above it hang linear lights intersecting like sun rays piercing through the leaves, playing with light and shadows. This area is perfect for informal meetings, relaxation, or working in a more relaxed atmosphere.
A furniture unit has been designed to accommodate refrigerators and additional elements, a serving table, as well as a corner with microwaves for those who bring their own food. The equipment is concealed behind wooden cladding and plants to maintain the natural atmosphere. There are bar-style seating, regular seating, and a soft area. This variability allows for meeting various needs: from quick coffee “on the go” to lengthy business meetings and simply relaxing.
In the café, every element contributes to creating the sensation that you’ve entered a city garden. Here, office workers can take a break from urban hustle, guests can enjoy the coziness, and business meetings unfold in a relaxed atmosphere.
Design can change lives. And the café in the Gloria Business Center is a contribution to creating a more harmonious, green, and human urban space.