Architects: YOD Group
Area: 165 m²
Year: 2024
Photography: Yevhenii Avramenko
Lead Architects: Volodymyr Nepiyvoda, Dmytro Bonesko
Design Team: Nataliya Timoshenko, Serhii Prudkyi, Andriy Babych
City: Lviv
Country: Ukraine
Cukiernia, a pastry shop in Lviv designed by YOD Group, has undergone a transformation that preserves its traditional essence while introducing contemporary materials and designs. The renovation features innovative use of materials like Italian marble and custom-made eggshell plaster, emphasizing luxury and heritage. The project skillfully addresses the challenge of limited natural light by integrating architectural elements that enhance spatial perception. Completed in 2024, this project stands as a testament to the thoughtful preservation and modernization of a cherished local establishment.
The transformation of the well-known Lviv pastry shop, Cukiernia, which dates back to 2000, began with a quest to find new meanings and symbols. It was crucial to maintain the essence of the venue, delicately affirming the continuation of its traditions as a fundamental value.
The primary method adopted in this renovation involves using single-source materials and subtle variations. The design integrates two principal materials along with several secondary ones. The main materials are marble and a special eggshell plaster, supported by light wood and noble brass. Italian marble, in a warm creamy brown shade, adorns the floors and countertops, reflecting the hues of caramel or cream found in layered desserts. This interaction with natural stone offers guests a sense of richness both visually and tactilely.
Cukiernia’s walls are coated with an innovative material specifically developed for this project, made from eggshells—reflecting the ingredient’s frequent use in the shop’s offerings. Over a ton of eggshells were provided by a Ukrainian poultry farm, processed through washing, drying, and fine grinding, and mixed into a specially formulated adhesive base. Multiple experiments refined the grinding degree, formula, and application technique. The aim was to subtly incorporate the eggshells into the wall surfaces while ensuring they did not create excessive roughness that could snag clothes or scratch skin.
Achieving the right color was another hurdle; initially, only white eggshells were available, but the design required a warmer tone. This was solved by the confectioners at Cukiernia who contributed brown eggshells from their baking, resulting in a perfect blend of 1300 kilograms of white shells with 200 kilograms of red shells to achieve the desired plaster hue.
To compensate for the lack of natural daylight, the designers employed a light color palette and simplistic arched niches that function as windows linking the rooms. These elements, along with minimalist pendant lamps from Aromas del Campo, echo the arched shapes found in the furniture.
The original bentwood chairs, a legacy of Cukiernia’s past decor, were retained and refurbished, echoing the aesthetics of glazed cookies. The wooden bases of old tables were also preserved, now topped with round marble surfaces. A significant antique cabinet, a relic from the Lviv Secession period and part of the owner’s private collection stands next to the communal table, reinforcing the theme of enduring traditions.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 3 Staroievreiska Street, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, 79000, Ukraine
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
