Minimalist Cafe-Bistro in Voronezh

The Common Café-Bistro in Voronezh, designed by Y+S Design Studio, embodies a reinterpretation of history and modernity. The café is located in a recently recreated Constructivist building, originally constructed in the 1930s based on the design by architect Myasnikova. Designer Olga Yakovleva and architect Pavel Stefanov drew inspiration from the history of the place, creating a minimalist and functional interior with vintage and designer furniture and lighting. “We aimed to create a space where history seamlessly intertwines with modernity, and every element of the interior highlights the uniqueness of this place,” shares Olga Yakovleva.
The main inspiration was the rounded shape of the building's corner facade, a motif that Olga and Pavel brought into the interior. The minimalist design is built on smooth lines, logical zoning, and various lighting scenarios. The foundation of the interior consists of simple architectural forms, complex geometric furniture, and high-end finishing materials.
“When working with minimalism, it’s essential to find a balance so the interior doesn’t seem boring and attracts attention. To achieve this, we used furniture of different shapes, natural materials with beautiful textures, and a bright color on the cantilevered floor. For example, the walls are finished with rough plaster with a nervous stroke effect, which reflects light and creates deep shadows, adding expressiveness to the space,” explains architect Pavel Stefanov.
The café comprises two halls: the central hall, covering 90 square meters, and the mezzanine floor covering 37 square meters. The interior of the main hall is based on a combination of luxurious natural materials: walls are clad with oak panels and textured plaster painted with Argile, while table and bar countertops are made of pink marble. Noble fabrics, French wool, jacquard, and velvet upholstery on the furniture add softness and coziness to the interior.
Compositions of custom-made furniture, designed by Olga Yakovleva and Pavel Stefanov, are harmoniously complemented by vintage and designer items and lighting fixtures. The central table, wall panels, sofas, bar counter, and marble tables were created according to the project authors' sketches. The chairs around the central table were made in collaboration with Dmitry Samygin and the ARCHIPÉLAGO workshop. Above the table hangs a minimalist rice paper lamp by Davide Groppi.
Around the tables with marble tops are vintage mahogany chairs, the Agaat design by Gerard Geytenbeek for AZS, 1960. Surrounding the custom round table made of marble and stainless steel are vintage Italian chairs of oak and genuine leather, complemented by a pendant lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu for FLOS. Vintage lamps designed by Jørn Utzon in 1947, &TRADITION, hang above the tables around the perimeter of the hall.
A spiral staircase in a red-burgundy color leads to the cantilevered floor with a cocktail area, making it an ideal place for private meetings. The concrete floor is painted in a red-burgundy shade, matching the color of all the furniture. The sofas, designed by the architects, are upholstered with fabric from Designers Guild, while the chairs and poufs are by Archipelago. Stylish lamps from Davide Groppi stand on metal tables by OMINIMALISM, and vintage Soviet sconces hang on the walls.
The project authors wanted to create a timeless and placeless design, so visitors wouldn’t be able to tell whether they were in Voronezh or somewhere in Europe, and they have undoubtedly succeeded in this.

Designer Olga Yakovleva and architect Pavel Stefanov, founders of Y+S Design studio
@olgayakovlevastyle
@pavel_steffanov

Photo credit Sergey Krasyuk
Instagram @skrasyuk

Style by Natalia Onufreychuk
Instagram @onufreichuk_before_after