A Moscow shop is transformed into a micro-brewery inspired by Russian avant-garde art

Channeling Russian avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich, Monoloko Design has transformed a neoclassical Moscow store into a micro-brewery and bottle shop.
The local firm drew the space’s monochrome colour scheme from the fundamental principles of Suprematism (an abstract art movement championed by Malevich) dedicated to pure artistic feeling and basic geometric forms. The idea was to create an imaginative, open space where light sources and colour will alter visual perceptions of the bar’s three-dimensional geometric furnishings, which are Suprematist in composition and mono-material in implementation.
As well as Malevich’s practise, the designers drew from his personal interest in celestial exploration. Rechristened Galaxy Bar, a deep-blue interior is illuminated by a snaking, polyurethane-coated neon pipe-light tracing constellations overhead. A moon-grey marble bar and industrially-edged wooden booths complete the look.
‘The idea was to create a pure, bright space that facilitates a release of the mind and the expansion of human perceptions, as if walking onto a non-objective art canvas,’ explains Maxim Kashin, the project architect. ‘Colour has great influence over human perception and has an extraordinary ability to influence moods and emotions’ – ideal thinking for a beer bar, where customers might be on the look out for mind-altering tipples.
Offerings – written in white directly onto the blue wall – are almost exlusively locally-sourced; and fit for hop connoisseurs. St Petersburg’s AF Brew brings its Hip Hop Milk to the table, with vanilla notes and ultra-smooth finish. And Moscow’s own WildLab offers its KarmaComa stout brewed with cocoa nibs, chocolate and coffee.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Monoloko design website
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Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
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