The most striking and complex, multi-level and multifaceted restaurant project for us this year is the Eastman restaurant. Together with the FIRST LINE GROUP team, we have been working for more than a year on the project of this largest, fourteenth FLG restaurant project.
For us, it was an experience of scaling, an experience of breaking boundaries, design stereotypes and architectural dogmas. Within a year, the former bank premises turned into a cozy restaurant.
We managed to partially save the travertine left from the bank on the floor and he healed a new life, combining with tiles and parquet.
Special attention was paid to the zoning of the restaurant: such a large volume of the room and its height allowed us to bring together different stories and characteristic atmospheres: the interior of a New York restaurant, Sri Lankan charm, Hindu mythology, Balinese greens and spicy oriental cuisine.
The idea of the restaurant combines the multiculturalism and richness of the East. The restaurant's interior design came out the same - filled with oriental meanings and metaphors as much as possible.
The original layout of the premises was changed - two staircases leading to the second floor were moved, we removed one of the mezzanines and completely redesigned the second. This made it possible to properly organize the space and get away from the entrances to the second floor dictated by a low crossbar.
The reception area is combined with the smoothie bar and coffee station in a single frame structure, which suddenly changed from gray to red just a few weeks before opening.
The sculptures on the structure were brought from Kharkov. They were created in 1998 by the sculptor Yuri Kochmar for the Maternity Hospital club in Kharkov, after which they were closed and purchased and carefully preserved by Dima Zaporozhets, who kept them awaiting their time. Many years later, the Sculptor restored them specifically for the interior of the Eastman restaurant. At first, it was planned to place one, then two, and in the final version three sculptures at once found their place in the restaurant and became its original symbols.
The round table, which was brought from Sri Lanka and revived specifically for this project, in combination with an Indian woodworker and vintage chairs by the panoramic windows, make up the first zone that welcomes guests immediately after the reception.
Columns in green tiles hid the communications of the whole house. By the way, tiles from the Italian brand Apparici are used here, which remind us of Brooklyn metal panels with patina. Above, according to JK LAB Architects' drawings, baskets are made for plants and vines that descend along the columns and create an atmosphere of tropical resorts.
Backstage bar to the right of the entrance with a mix of low and semi-bar seating - a separate area and mood. An ash-tree bar counter with a street view and comfortable armchairs allows you to work and enjoy the sunset light.
Bent metal stairs and fences with slotted round holes connect the first level with the second, where the banquet area and bathrooms are located.
The technology, equipment and public areas have been detailed in hundreds of blueprints. Work on the project was in full swing in teams with technical specialists who have been working well with FLG for several years. The final work on the design and decoration was carried out in collaboration with the main ideologist of FLG and the author of the project idea Dima Zaporozhets. Janna Kiseleva and the JK Lab Architects team helped to embody the most daring and charismatic ideas in this project, providing support in visitor logistics, ergonomics, selection of materials and parts, docking of units and work with lighting.
Track lighting in the restaurant was chosen as the most mobile and allowed to set accents and build the atmosphere of a tropical oriental Mix. The accent light highlighted important green areas with vines, highlighted sculptures, graffiti and filled the tables with incredibly tasty dishes by brand chef Vova Tashaev.
Material Used :
1. Windows: Aluminium, Movable windows, Profitech
2. Tiles: Aparici
3. Sculptures: Yuri Kochmar