AN Bistro, the latest gastronomic endeavor of a very successful Vietnamese family, sees the coming together of two worlds. The primary directive was to bring authentic Vietnamese cuisine to Prague (gastronomically) in addition to the raw atmosphere of the local streets, where they cook and eat at the same place (architecturally). Studio NEUHÄUSL HUNAL took to task creating an authentic and inviting environment, complete with the owners’ desire to utilize neons and the red tones typical of Asia.
“It was essential for us to grasp the theme in a way that was relevant in the local context and to avoid formal clichés and cheap gestures,” share co-founders David Neuhäusl and Matěj Hunal. “We therefore worked on the Czech interpretation of the Asian street and its sympathetic dirt in multiple layers.”
Firstly, the layout: an open floor plan was essential in mimicking the open-air aesthetic of Asian street vendors. As a result, the kitchen is more open to the space than is typical and forms one entity with the tables for guests. The blending of the functions is supported by a uniform floor surface.
Secondly, materiality: the space is dominated by a uniform block in a subtle red tile. Apart from the distinctive guest stools, the background is made up of natural shades of grey to white: the steel of the kitchen countertops or guest tables, the scraped original walls, the glue or paint on the blocks of the new partitions, the tiles and the rubber floor.
Thirdly, the atmosphere: the hanging pendant lightings create a pleasantly cozy light, and the space is slightly supplemented by neon elements with Asian motifs designed specifically by Barbora Tögel for precise places. Greenery is also an integral part of the Southeast Asian theme, which, in addition to the standard flowerpots, is also found in the continuous cable tray carrying the electrical wiring and luminaires.
The use of industrial elements also plays a key role, including penny pattern rubber flooring, translucent PVC curtains typical of warehouses and visible wiring. The preservation of the building process lends itself to what Neuhäusl and Hunal refer to as the “authentic imperfection” throughout the space. Paint stains and workmen’s notes remain on the walls, preserving evidence of the work that was done after cleaning off the original stucco.
Photography by Studio Flusser.
Graphic elements by Přemysl Zajíček and František Kast.
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