Located in Belgrade, Serbia, the Hookah Restaurant by Freya Architects integrates symbolism with functional design. Completed in 2024, this 200-square-meter project transforms the process of wood burning into a spatial experience. Through the interplay of dark hues, fiery accents, and sculptural forms, the design explores a narrative where wood transforms into glowing embers.
Hookah Restaurant Technical Information
- Architects1-4: Freya Architects
- Location: Belgrade, Serbia
- Area: 200 m2 | 2,150 Sq. Ft.
- Completion Year: 2024
- Photographs: © Ilya Ivanov
In this hookah bar and restaurant project every detail reflects the transformation of wood into coals. Dark hues, reminiscent of smoldering embers, dominate the interior, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Bright orange accents, symbolizing the fiery passion of the burning wood, add a touch of vibrancy.
– Freya Architects
Hookah Restaurant Photographs
Spatial Organization and Material Palette
The design centers on the lifecycle of wood. The architects used this concept to craft a symbolic and functional interior. The dark tones represent smoldering coals, while bright orange accents evoke the fiery nature of burning wood. These elements, combined with the forms of custom lighting and material selections, create a warm and dynamic atmosphere.
The spatial organization of the Hookah Restaurant reflects a balance of functionality and storytelling. The layout revolves around a bar, serving as a physical and conceptual centerpiece. This bar, shaped like a massive, petrified tree stump, acts as a hub connecting various functional areas. Behind the bar, a passage leads to the kitchen and technical zones.
Natural wooden tables line the windows opposite the bar, offering seating arrangements encouraging social interaction. The dining hall features a movable screen adorned with suspended fragments of burnt wood, creating seating zones that can adapt to different group sizes. This partition system enhances intimacy while preserving visual connectivity.
The material palette deepens the narrative. Burnt wooden panels on the walls evoke the tactile quality of charred wood, while the natural wooden tables emphasize craftsmanship. Bright orange accents and wire lamps, designed to mimic wisps of smoke, punctuate the space and add layers of warmth. This integration of materials fosters a cohesive environment.
Hookah Restaurant Architectural Highlights
The Hookah Restaurant explores the theme of wood’s transformation into fire and embers. The petrified tree stump bar is not merely functional but also a sculptural centerpiece anchoring the space. Its organic form contrasts with the linearity of the surrounding seating arrangements.
The movable screens in the dining hall are made of suspended fragments of burnt wood, redefining the spatial experience by offering flexibility and artistic expression. They allow for distinct seating zones while maintaining the fluidity of the overall layout.
Lighting plays a role in enhancing the ambiance. The custom wire lamps suspended above the bar and the main table emulate the ephemeral quality of smoke, reinforcing the thematic narrative. This lighting, combined with the materials, enhances the sensory experience for guests.
Functionality integrates with aesthetics throughout the design. The bar area accommodates both hookah preparation and mixology, ensuring operational efficiency. The guest bathroom, positioned within the central block, features a window overlooking the bar, adding an unexpected connectivity layer.
Hookah Restaurant Plans
Hookah Restaurant Image Gallery
About Freya Architects
Freya Architects is a Belgrade-based architecture firm known for its innovative approach to design, blending symbolism, functionality, and contextual sensitivity. Led by Chief Architect Kristina Koivistoinen-Khatlamadzhiian, the firm specializes in creating spaces that tell compelling stories through materiality and form, as seen in projects like the Hookah Restaurant. Freya Architects emphasizes collaboration, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to cultural and natural elements in their work.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Chief Architect: Kristina Koivistoinen-Khatlamadzhiian
- Leading Architect: Paulina Korobova
- Architect: Katarina Dragojlovic
- Client: Hookah Restaurant
