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Urban Jungle meets Futuristic Grids at Orang+Utan Vegetarian Bar in Kyiv, Ukraine

Words by Yatzer

Kiev, Ukraine

A new vegetarian bar in Ukraine’s capital brings healthy refreshments and energising food to city dwellers: designed by Artem Vahrin and Katya Zuieva of AKZ Architectura in collaboration with owner Yulia Savlepova, Orang+Utan Vegetarian Bar follows the concept that the city is a jungle, and its denizens “smart animals” that have developed sophisticated modes of feeding. 

Photo © AKZ Architectura. 

Photo © AKZ Architectura.
 

The bar’s small and elongated space was given a futuristic, laboratory-like feel —probably a nod to mid-century avant-garde design and particularly Superstudio’s work with grids and their Quaderna series (1970) for Zanotta. Although such a bleak and austere interior space is not what you would expect from a healthy-food establishment, the black-and-white ambience makes for an interesting contrast with the colourful food on offer. Though more of a takeaway snack bar, Orang+Utan also has a small seating area opposite the counter, over which hangs an impressive all-white neon sign. Meanwhile, the little jungle of plants in the lavatories further plays with the venue’s concept and adds a refreshing splash of colour to the whole project.

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Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

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Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.

Photo © AKZ Architectura.