Reviving the '70s: Tuya Restaurant by Mihai Popescu and Ovidiu Balan

Award-winning design duo recreates the elegant atmosphere of the 1970s in a unique restaurant setting

Mihai Popescu and Ovidiu Balan were tasked with creating a restaurant that would draw people from all corners. Their clients wanted an elegant space where patrons could have a wonderful time. The designers found their inspiration in the 1970s and Art Deco elements, which were suggested by the building's character.

The unique property of Tuya lies in its integration of typical Austrian architecture. The design creates an informal atmosphere over two floors, reminiscent of the French Riviera. The main visual idea was to enhance the subtle Art Deco and Postmodern character of the initial space, which had been influenced by renowned Austrian architect and designer Hans Hollein. The result is a 70's mood and atmosphere that envelops patrons as they enter.

All production was carried out in Romania, in the designers' workshop and with their collaborators. The wall coverings are made entirely from solid beech wood, with triangular stripes obtained using a CNC machine. The ceiling features an installation of more than 3000 glass tubes, each cut to a different dimension. The terrazzo floor incorporates more than 3 km of brass profile to separate the different colors.

The restaurant covers an area of 600 square meters, with an additional 400 square meters allocated for staff areas, including the kitchen and changing rooms. The main areas of the restaurant are separated into the basement, which houses the restrooms, the ground floor with the bar and lounge area, and the first floor, which is the restaurant area.

The project, which started in March 2018 and was completed in June 2019, is located in Vienna, Austria. The designers faced the challenge of not altering the character of the heritage building with their design. This mainly involved keeping the circular stair built by Hans Hollein intact, preserving a large portion of the existing marble floor, and integrating all important existing elements with the design.

Tuya was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. The Golden A' Design Award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.