Aqqu Central Cafe, a Soviet-era inspired cafe in Almaty, Kazakhstan, has been revived by local firm AT Interiors. The cafe, located in Manshuk Mametova Park, was designed to recreate the atmosphere of a 1960s pavilion that previously occupied the site.
Reviving the Past
Given the project’s deep social significance, we felt a profound responsibility to honour the collective memory of Almaty,” said Alyona Krasatulina and Vladislav Churikov, architects, AT Interiors. “To achieve this, we conducted extensive archival research, seeking to strike a delicate balance between nostalgic continuity and the standards of modern global design.”
The original cafe, destroyed by fire in 1995, was a popular meeting place for locals, known for its pair of swans that lived in the adjacent ponds. The new design translates the spirit of the original open-air kiosk into a year-round restaurant, retaining its predecessor’s atmosphere. The cafe’s name, Aqqu, means “white swan” in Kazakh, paying homage to the site’s history.
Design and Architecture
The 650-square-metre ground floor is designed to be as open as possible, maintaining views in all directions. The kitchen is accommodated within a large basement to minimise internal walls or partitions in the dining space. The building’s triangular footprint and lightweight steel-and-glass structure with fully glazed facades evoke the original pavilion’s lightness and connection to the surrounding park.
The interior features a vibrant swan mosaic by local artist Anastasia Zharko, with a palette of blue, yellow, red, and burgundy carried throughout. The material palette includes natural oak veneer and handcrafted ceramic panels by local studio Faski. Iconic lighting design, such as Verner Panton’s Flowerpot pendant lamps, lends the space an authentic 1960s feel.
Sustainable and Local
The project demonstrates how lost heritage can be recovered through archival research, uniting global design trends with Almaty’s unique cultural code. The cafe’s design has been praised for its success in rooting architecture in respect for history.
For more on AT Interiors, visit https://at-interiors.com/
Image Courtesy: AT Interiors and Dezeen
