Archpoint's Innovative Craft Beer Bar: A Fusion of Sauna and Urban Park

Award-Winning Design Inspired by Russian Sauna and Urban Parks

The inspiration behind Parka bar's design is a fascinating blend of Russian sauna and urban parks. The name 'Parka' itself is derived from the Russian word 'par', meaning steam, and park. The interior of the bar is adorned with elements typical to a sauna, such as Himalayan salt, brooms made of birch and eucalyptus, and a steam machine. The first floor features a long plywood seat resembling a sauna bench, while wood paving floors add a touch of nature. The bar lamps, designed to resemble hops bumps, further enhance the unique atmosphere.

What sets Parka bar apart from other craft beer bars is its unique atmosphere, a symbiosis of loft and Scandinavian design. The bar facade, made from Himalayan salt bricks, not only looks warm and unusual but also offers health benefits. Plywood is extensively used in the furniture, including benches, tables, ceiling, and lighting. The steam machine adds to the unique ambiance. The basement floor features a bar made from stab salt in gabions, and a table with a gabion leg that lights up like a heater in a bath. The ceiling light, made of wood, is designed in the shape of a bump.

The bar is located in a historical building with brick walls and arches, spread across two floors. The ground floor spans 85 sq.m, while the basement covers 260 sq.m. The basement floor houses a bar stand and two spaces, a small one near the bar and a larger one with a central table and soft leather chairs. The ground floor has its own bar stand with different beer options, long plywood benches with portable tables, and a grill area.

The design process involved extensive research to understand the best type of restaurant for the area, the potential visitors, and the characteristics of the building. The decision to open a craft beer bar was based on these factors. The design team faced challenges due to the low budget, short timeline, and technical difficulties in lining the communications in the historical building. Constructing and realizing the plywood furniture and elements also posed a challenge.

The Parka bar project, located in Moscow, Russia, was started in November 2015. The first floor was opened in January 2016, followed by the ground floor in February 2016. The design team comprised of Chief Architect Valeriy Lizunov, Designer Ekaterina Ageeva, and Architect Lilya Berganova. The design was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.