collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

furniture – Adecom, Sandor Metaval, Mobila Rozsa, Mendola

photography – Norbert Varga

Set within just 15 m², this specialty coffee shop in Cluj shows how constraint sparks creativity. Located beside the Someș River in the ground floor of the historic Berde Palace, the design balances architectural dignity with the openness of contemporary coffee culture. Every centimeter was optimized to handle specialty coffee, juices, and pastries while creating a warm social space shaped by the owner–barista.

Instead of a conventional counter, a large shared table doubles as both workstation and gathering point, dissolving barriers between host and guest. Brewing becomes performance, and conversation flows as naturally as coffee. A restroom with storage above frees the main floor, while seating at the window and rear accommodates both quick stops and longer stays.
The owner’s taste for lively colors, wood, and greenery defines the atmosphere, with plants spilling over shelves to create a vibrant refuge. Playful bean-shaped mirrors expand space, reflect light, and invite selfies—turning visitors into informal ambassadors.

Warm wood, daylight from large windows, and layered evening lighting center the shop around its communal table. Small in scale but rich in ideas, it transforms limits into opportunities, becoming a civic living room where coffee fosters community within the historic Berde Palace.

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

photography – Palette of joy

Located in the vibrant heart of Budapest, this project redefines the café experience by merging hospitality design with an unexpected and playful concept: a space where guests can spend time with friendly minipigs. We collaborated closely with our client throughout the process, shaping not only the interior but also the guest experience. The main vision was to create a welcoming, cozy environment where visitors can disconnect from the city’s hustle, take a break, reenergize, and leave happy.

Key functional ideas guided the layout: separating and accommodating guests arriving to meet the pigs, providing a dedicated space to change shoes, and offering a waiting bar area designed to host as many visitors as possible. We also maximized the main wall surfaces with a dynamic mural evoking nature and greenery. A further challenge was the circulation of the animals between their resting space and guest areas, which required careful planning.

Materiality plays a central role: wood shingles, tactile fluffy textures, and exposed brick animate the walls, contrasting with calming green tones while subtly referencing the story of the three little pigs. Delicate metal details and warm brass accents add an extra layer of elegance, enriching the natural palette. Practical flooring solutions complete the design, balancing durability with comfort.
The result is a functional yet emotionally engaging interior that transforms a café into a restorative urban retreat — unique in Europe and deeply rooted in both playfulness and thoughtful design.

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter, ing. Zorán Varga

contractor – Stahlkrone

photography – Viewcathers

This single-family home interior design responds to the unique configuration of a sloping site. With two full stories and an entrance located at mid-level, circulation was a key design focus. A light, open staircase—visible from all levels—serves as a key architectural element, offering visual continuity and a sense of connection between floors. Located centrally, it acts as a unifying feature, ensuring that inhabitants feel present and connected throughout the home.

The color palette reinforces this unity: muted beiges provide a calm, neutral backdrop, allowing green accents—used consistently throughout the home—to stand out and lend coherence. Green becomes the thread that ties spaces together, evoking nature and vitality.

Maximizing views towards the surrounding garden was a guiding principle. Window placement and openings were carefully considered to bring in natural light and highlight the landscape, establishing a strong relationship between the interior and its setting—even as the garden continues to evolve.

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

contractor – CreativBau

furniture – Simoran Prest

photography – Viewcathers

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

contractor – CreativBau

photography – Andreea Ligia Bologa

collaborators – QMECK Works SRL, Expert Proiect SRL

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

explosivski.ro

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter, arh. Vajna Botond

contractor – CreativBau

photography – Andreea Ligia Bologa

collaborators – arh. Szőke Eszter