{"id":626821,"date":"2026-03-02T12:28:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/626821\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T12:28:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:28:23","slug":"soviet-era-architecture-informs-kazakhstan-cafe-by-at-interiors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/626821\/","title":{"rendered":"Soviet-era architecture informs Kazakhstan cafe by AT Interiors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bespoke furniture and details, including a colourful swan mosaic, help to evoke the atmosphere of a 1960s pavilion that previously occupied the site of this cafe<\/a>\u00a0in Almaty<\/a>, Kazakhstan, designed by local firm AT Interiors.<\/p>\n

The project to revive the Aqqu Central Cafe<\/a> in Manshuk Mametova Park was initiated following a presidential directive aimed at restoring Almaty’s historical identity by recreating some of its 1960s modernist buildings.<\/p>\n

\"AlmatyAT Interiors has completed the Aqqu cafe in Almaty<\/p>\n

The original cafe was a popular meeting place for locals, who associated it with a pair of swans that lived in the adjacent ponds and gave the site its name, since aqqu means white swan in Kazakh.<\/p>\n

AT Interiors<\/a> aimed to translate the spirit of the original open-air kiosk, which was destroyed by fire in 1995, into a year-round restaurant that retains the atmosphere of its predecessor.<\/p>\n

\"AlmatyAqqu means white swan in Kazakh<\/p>\n

“Given the project’s deep social significance, we felt a profound responsibility to honour the collective memory of Almaty,” architects Alyona Krasatulina and Vladislav Churikov told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“To achieve this, we conducted extensive archival research, seeking to strike a delicate balance between nostalgic continuity and the standards of modern global design.”<\/p>\n

\"ColourfulDetails including a colourful mosaic help to evoke Almaty’s Soviet-era architecture<\/p>\n

To replicate the 1960s pavilion’s lightness and connection to the surrounding park, AT Interiors created a lightweight steel-and-glass structure with fully glazed facades that wrap around the perimeter.<\/p>\n

The building follows a similar triangular footprint to its predecessor. But instead of the original constructivist geometry and sharp lines, the architects opted for a softer, more contoured shape.<\/p>\n

\"OakThe material palette predominantly comprises natural oak veneer and handcrafted ceramic panels<\/p>\n

The 650-square-metre ground floor is designed to be as open as possible to maintain views in all directions. The kitchen is accommodated within a large basement to minimise the need for internal walls or partitions in the dining space.<\/p>\n

The project’s conceptual starting point is a vibrant swan mosaic by local artist Anastasia Zharko<\/a>, which features a palette of blue, yellow, red and burgundy that is carried through the interior.<\/p>\n

\"AqquThe architects used vintage photographs to inform the decor<\/p>\n

The architects used the city’s vintage photographs to inform the decor, which includes elements sourced from local flea markets and brands known for their replicas of classic modernist designs.<\/p>\n

The material palette predominantly comprises natural oak veneer and handcrafted ceramic panels by local studio Faski<\/a>. The geometric panels used for the reception desk and bar were informed by the concrete balconies of Almaty’s Soviet-era housing blocks.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Six<\/p>\n

Kazakhstan cafe plays with shifting light from morning to night\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

AT Interiors opted for iconic lighting design such as Verner Panton<\/a>‘s Flowerpot pendant lamps and the P376 pendants by Kastholm & Fabricius<\/a> to lend the space an authentic 1960s feel.<\/p>\n

Churikov designed key components, including armchairs, coffee tables, metal blinds and shelving, which are complemented by furniture from local brands such as Jana Cara<\/a> and Qaragash Furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"BathroomAT Interiors created an equally lively interior in the bathrooms<\/p>\n

“Aqqu Central Cafe confirms the success of architecture rooted in respect for history,” the studio said.<\/p>\n

“The project demonstrates how lost heritage can be recovered through a painstaking search of archival data by uniting global design trends with the unique cultural code of old Almaty.”<\/p>\n

Other projects recently completed in Almaty include Asif Khan’s transformation of a Soviet-era cinema into a cultural centre<\/a>, as well as a cafe and wine bar featuring bespoke stained-glass windows<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The photography is courtesy of AT Interiors.<\/p>\n