Bar Aquarium

We were commissioned by a client, for whom we had the opportunity to work with previously, to reconstruct the original bar. This was the Cafébar, where a parametrically generated structure was used for the first time. Satisfaction with the previous collaboration greatly facilitated the design process.

The space for the café-bar is located in the rear extension of a townhouse, which dates back to the 1990s. The reconstruction involved cleaning years of "design" layers and ventilating the space by removing the original decorative arches. The extension fills the entire plot, and therefore the only source of natural light is the original skylight.

At first, the investor insisted on retaining the original name "Bar Fontána," but during the course of the work, a change occurred. The name served as a source of inspiration for the design concept of the space. Free associations: fountain - geyser - water level evoke a dynamic, form and color-changing event. This variability of light conditions, flickering light, colors, and reflections is inscribed into the interior through a wavy structure of light-conducting fibers. To make its effect as pronounced as possible, the whole space is treated monochromatically. Light creates color information, while the starkly designed space focuses on its materialization. The surface of the light's impact is important - its texture, the subtle contrast between matte and shiny surfaces.

The space is tinted by a light structure made of light-conducting fibers. The 3mm diameter fibers pass through 12 glass frames, which determine the resulting morphology. A total of over 1000m of fibers and two light sources were used, which create a gradual blending of colors through the fibers. The speed of color change can be regulated, or it can be completely paused at a certain tone.
The structure is designed using a parametric design method, where based on our created software tool, various shape variants were generated by entering certain parameters. These were tested in visualizations and subsequently adjusted again. The basic parameters that can be changed include dimensions and the distance between glass frames, their waviness controlled by radii of guiding circles, the number of fibers passing through the frame, their density, etc. The parametric design method not only served to find the optimal shape but also to easily create production drawings for the glass frames and accurately determine the required length of fibers.

The new name "Aquarium" is derived from the 6m wide aquarium incorporated into the front wall. Together with the light structure, it creates the main focal point of the space, compensating for the missing view onto the street. The front wall, which can be opened, houses the aquarium technology as well as the sources of the light-conducting fibers. The fine mesh of fibers also serves as a sound absorber. RGB LED strips placed on the glass frames can be used for additional lighting and coloring of the space.

Awards
Grand Prix of Architects 2013 - honorable mention in the Interior category
Bar of the Year - Czech Gastronomy Awards 2012 (regional winner - Zlín Region)