Café Archa Zlín

Café Archa is located on Tř. Tomáše Bati in Zlín, in a building dating from the 1930s but transformed by the functionalism so typical of the town. Functionalism was initially the architectonic style developed by Adolf Loos and, in the 1930s, the architect Le Corbusier, among others. Le Corbusier loved to use a No. 30 armchair in his projects, which designer Adéla Bačová, who oversaw the creation of the modern café interior, restored to the café with other bentwood furniture models.

“We decided to work with large, coloured surfaces in the café interior because they were characteristic of Le Corbusier. At the same time, we brought in TON’s timeless bentwood furniture. The organic forms of these products contrasted with the angles and corners and filled the otherwise simple, linear space. We were also inspired by the use of linoleum on the bar, for example, with a glass display case for cakes. This was another material frequently used in interiors during the functionalist period,” says designer Adéla Bačová.

The colourful space swaggers in white, pale blue, black and striking red, which is used in several interior details. The black glass reflects some of the elements, such as the lighting and provides a counterpoint to the delicate glass accessories.

This architectonic style clearly expressed the bond between the internal and external space. A green “wall” was created beside the window, making the interior more intimate and the otherwise cold glazed facade cosier. “The counterpoints we see connect it even more closely with Zlín. They are trees in the local park and the gorgeous Trantírek House directly opposite the café,” adds Adéla Bačová.

The slogan “form follows function” was the guiding principle for the whole space. Timelessness, rather than following current trends, has become the essence. Delicate accessories and flowers also complete the atmosphere and cosiness of the café.

The reconstruction of the Archa café aimed to create a distinctive space that does not seek inspiration in current trends, but in the history of its city. The main idea was to create a typical Zlín café that responds to the traditional architecture of the city but comes with a fresh design.

The main source of inspiration was a functionalist building from the 1930s, in which the café is located, a Tomas Bata monument or the Swiss architect Le Corbusier, for whom work with colored surfaces in the interior is typical.

The space of the café is very clean, the dark walls are brightened with blue areas, while the dominant elements are highlighted in vivid red. This creates a three-dimensional color image complemented with traditional bentwood furniture and simple circular lamps. In contrast to the pure geometry, there are organically shaped ceramic vases hung on the wall, which are hand-made in Moravia.

The absence of decor in the whole space is balanced by flowers, especially in the front glazed part of the café. The flower wall makes it cozier not only in the interior but also in the outside seating, which is thus connected to the interior.