A superfood bistro has opened in Prague's Karlín district. It was co-founded by the owners of Vitalvibe and Wild & Coco. The interior of the place is a reflection of their common vision - to be closer to nature, to maximize the use of its ingredients and to create a harmonious environment both inside and out. For the interior design, they chose designer Lucie Kučerová Rožanská, who specializes in natural interiors.
"Thanks to the metal material, the furniture is so subtle that it does not overshadow the products on display, yet it is elegant and has a high load-bearing capacity". Lucie Kučerová Rožanská during our interview at the new Vibe bistro. Photo by Dita Havránková
For a small space, we had to find furniture that would save space, withstand daily traffic and not disturb the natural concept. Despite the first idea, which would probably lead anyone to use wood, Lucie opted for metal wall shelving, the shelves of which form a V-shape like Vibe. The white color also contrasts with the products on sale, most of which are in natural tones.
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Can you introduce us to the Vibe Bistro project? What were your main inspirations and goals?
It was mainly very fast because at that time they called me and said that we had to open a new project within a month and I'm used to these fast executions. But a month didn't seem realistic to me, plus I have a young child now, and it ended up taking over three months because we had to coordinate with the big Wild & Coco and Vitalvibe teams on the concept, adjust the budget, and so on.
What were the specific challenges working on this project and how did you overcome them?
The challenges included a small space, budget constraints and communication. I'm from Brno, but fortunately I have a colleague from Prague, Aleš Rejman, who supervised everything and without whom I couldn't have done it. Together we put it all together, but it was quite a wild ride.
Lucie Kučerová Rožanská. Photo by Dita Havránková
What product did you use in the Vibe bistro and why? How does it fit into the overall concept of the project?
I used the #1212 and #1213 wall shelves for their aesthetic appeal and because they fit well within our budget. I liked the V-shape design, which complements both Vitalvibe and Wild & Coco. The use of metal material makes the furniture subtle enough not to overshadow the displayed products, yet it adds an elegant touch and has a high load capacity.
What was your experience working with our company on this project?
It was excellent. I approached your company because I liked the clean, organic and subtle metal design. I also got along very well with Mr. Dušek, the owner of Fleysen. We laughed a lot and the whole process was very smooth. In fact, we ended up working together on another project for the leisure center in Lužánky, Brno, called Lata.
What advice would you give to other architects or designers who are considering working with our company on a similar project?
I would definitely encourage them not to hesitate to contact you. As soon as I placed my order, someone from Fleysen contacted me and asked what exactly I wanted. There were no problems with production or communication, which doesn't happen very often. For example, I wanted the shelves to be pure white, even though you only had off-white in your range. I realized the quality of our collaboration even more on the Lata project I mentioned earlier, where we were creating a specific product. We made last-minute changes to the design and you were always accommodating. You even 3D printed some beautiful hooks for us. If you are an architect or designer, we recommend that you sign up for our Professional Program, where you will receive a 5% discount on the entire Fleysen range upon approval. You can find the application form here. In terms of production, I've been thinking about the possibility of using the shelves in wet areas, so I'm thinking about using them in a flower shop. It's great that they're not atypical, expensive custom pieces, and most businesses can afford Fleysen products.
Can you tell us more about Lata?
Lata is also complete now. I got involved in this collaboration when a friend called me and said they were renovating a leisure centre. Unlike in Scandinavia, where there is investment in design for children, we don't see much of it here, even with government subsidies, which is surprising. There is a lack of funding to create quality environments. So I decided to make the space beautiful for the children and volunteered for the project. At first I wanted to use colored MDF for the furniture, but when I considered all the potential problems, the number of people who would use the furniture and how they might treat it, I turned to Fleysen again. We used wall panels in different colors, which we also use as coat racks. Children of different ages participate in different activities at the center, and these colorful panels act almost like a sculpture. There's also an unconventional cabinet for mothers to store their belongings in.
A custom-made cabinet designed by Lucie Rožanská for the new Lata leisure centre. On the right side there are metal Fleysen boards.
What would you recommend to colleagues who want to start working with metal furniture?
They have to realize that it's heavy. I worked in metal fabrication to learn about it because I enjoy working with it, but it's important to consider the weight. Also, proper wall anchoring is essential - it should not be underestimated. For additional support and discounts on our products, please sign up for our Professional Program for Architects and Designers. You can find the application form here.
What projects are you currently working on? And do you think you will use Fleysen products again in any of them?
I'm thinking about it. Right now we are working on a showroom in Brno for Jiří Procházka, an MMA champion who has his own clothing brand, so there might be some potential there. We are also designing a new space for the flower shop Kvítí z lesa, where the owner is not used to your furniture yet, as she is used to plywood, but we'll see how it goes.
Collaboration:
Bistro Vibe, Praha 8 Karlín
Architect:
Lucie Kučerová Rožanská
Fleysen products:
Shelving unit #1212
Shelving unit #1213
Product customization:
Adjusting the color scheme
Implementation date:
Spring 2023
