NAAW Studio has renovated and restored the Fika Café in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

This project has converted a former Soviet railway workers' housing block into a restaurant, retaining the original features of the 1950s building.

Fika re-examines the TurkSib Workers' House's social context by contrasting the original ornamentation with playful, contemporary details informed by Almaty's surroundings.

"We wanted to ensure that the interior did not romanticise the legacy of the colonial era, but at the same time did not deny it," said NAAW.

"When we found the original ceiling mouldings and capitals in a dilapidated state underneath the ceiling panels from the past owners, we made the decision to preserve and give them visibility without a thorough restoration."

This project has been longlisted in the restaurant and bar interior category of Dezeen Awards 2024.

Studio: NAAW Studio
Project: Fika Café