UKYO X CAFÉ
Maria Schunn
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Maria Schunn
ACOUSTIC CONSULTANTS
H.a.n.d. Hi Fi
MANUFACTURERS
Borodi Design, Mark Oliver Studio, Structowood
PHOTOGRAPHS
In-still
AREA
200 m²
YEAR
2026
LOCATION
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
CATEGORY
Interior Design, Cultural Interiors, Coffee Shop Interiors
English description provided by the architects.
ukyo X transforms a historic Cluj-Napoca storefront into a hybrid café, listening bar, and cultural space.
ukyo X, the third location of the ukyo brand, is situated in the old city center of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in a pedestrian area characterized by historical stratification and an active public life.
The space positions itself as an active extension of the street, where passers-by become participants. Sliding glass doors allow the interior to open entirely, transforming the commercial front into a natural extension of the walkable district.
The project proposes a hybrid space where social, cultural and creative functions coexist within a fluid structure – an extension of the idea of home, where users can move between socializing, co-working and contemplation without the rigidity of a commercial setting.
The furniture is modular, creating the perception of a flexible and easy-to-use space. The central element reinterprets the family table as a continuous system rather than an isolated object:
an axis of socialization where large and small groups can coexist, each choosing their own degree of involvement. Social hierarchy is softened, and an egalitarian framework is created where everyone has the same experience.
Natural veneer and stainless steel form a contrasting yet complementary material language – warm and tactile against quietly reflective – unified by a neutral chromatic palette. The degraded mosaic floor was fully restored, preserving the material memory of the space and connecting past to present.
Though functioning primarily as a café and brunch spot, the interior unfolds into four dedicated areas: a coffee bar, a lounge, a music & art space, and a secluded co-working nook.
These environments flow into one another through the use of the same materials, while the temporal transition from day to evening is defined by light, sound and atmosphere, ensuring the space transforms in sync with the day's natural rhythm.
In this way, the project aligns with the concept of a listening bar, moving beyond the idea of a conventional café to become a cultural platform where a carefully chosen audio system, artistic interventions and specialty coffee converge into a coherent experience.
