Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Expolight
Lead Designers Mykola Kabluka
Interior Design Company REPLUS BUREAU
Client Alex Cooper
Photo Credits Andrii Avdieienko
Completion Date 01/08/2024
Project Location Odesa, Ukraine
Entry DescriptionThis restaurant is located in the historic center of Odesa, on the site of a 19th-century estate, once a symbol of imperialism. The client wanted a radical transformation, and now the space is filled with the spirit of childhood, comfort, traditional Bessarabian cuisine, and love for Odesa and Ukraine.
“Tatar Bunar” (or “Tatar Well”) is named after a historic town in the region, symbolizing a well where ethnicities have blended. This is a small step in the long process of decolonizing not only Odesa but also Ukraine.
Our goal was to transform the imperial, pompous interior with light, on a minimal budget, while conveying Tatar culture’s authentic atmosphere and cozy household vibes. We achieved this by using natural details and uneven, comfortable lighting that connects the interior and landscaping.
The restaurant is now a cozy Tatar courtyard with a garden and fountain, featuring shadows from plants and dynamic lighting that changes throughout the day. Special elements include halo-caustics and gobo projections, with a sunset effect created by halo-caustic lighting. We fine-tuned light levels for each time of day for maximum comfort, using custom fixtures to cast shadows and create accent spots.
