Lumen Craft Gastro is a family café located on the busiest pedestrian alley in the Rîșcani district of Chișinău. The space is designed to convey a sense of openness, clarity, and natural simplicity, reflected in both the minimalist façade and terrace design, as well as the large glass panels that provide a generous view of the dining area and the food preparation and serving process.
The exterior color palette is dominated by soft, milky tones, giving the café a refined appearance that subtly contrasts with the urban dynamism of its surroundings. The café is situated on the ground floor of a residential building, slightly elevated above the pedestrian alley. This positioning required innovative solutions for the terrace, where compact tables were integrated along the parapet, accompanied by built-in planters with greenery that discreetly conceal the outdoor air conditioning units.
The café’s interior is fully visible from the outside and consists of several functional zones: the service counter and open kitchen, the main dining area, and a dedicated children’s space.
Inside, the design embraces natural textures, with woven rattan playing a key role in shaping the ambiance. This organic material is prominently featured in a composition of three large vases, echoing pendant lights of diFerent sizes. Placed strategically at the entrance to the main interior space, these sculptural elements create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
One of the most valuable design discoveries in this project was the use of locally sourced Coșăuți stone. Its warm tones and natural texture were processed to create a striking decorative wall with a three-dimensional effect, enhanced by hand-finishing techniques that add depth and subtle light and shadow interplay.
Wood is another key material in the interior design. Diagonally cut wooden panels start from the façade’s display window and extend inside, covering sections of the walls and ceiling. The centerpiece of the space is a large communal wooden table, designed to host family gatherings and special events.
The service counter and food preparation area are not only functional components but also integral elements of the interior design.
The operational workflow runs along the length of the café, starting with a refrigerated display showcasing a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and Lumen Craft craft beer, visible through a glass panel. The process continues with a beer station mounted on a stone countertop, where the beer lines are cleverly concealed within a sculpted wooden log, and concludes at the cash register, which features display cases for serving both indoor and outdoor customers.
The success of this project was made possible through a close collaboration between the design team and the café’s management. Many of the original solutions and unique design details were developed through a meticulous process of experimentation, testing, and refinement of concepts and materials.
