The works of Kacper Gronkiewicz are right up our alley. His creativity knows no bounds and innovation takes center stage in every project he approaches. At restaurants Le Braci and Taka Tajka he proves Bolon flooring is the supreme choice as it combines durability and sustainability. Delve into the mind of a designer who creates imaginative and enchanting restaurant interiors, where every detail has a purpose.
Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Kacper Gronkiewicz. I am an architect and Interior designer. I design private and public spaces. And objects.
How would you define your unique style and vision?
Being an architect, I am particularly focused on volumes in space. We are all immersed in the spatial realm and surrounded by objects that fill it. They impact us with their scale, form, and texture. I have a memory of when I was a child, and I was awakened in the morning by sunbeams gently filtered by green linen curtains. I saw things impossible, extraordinary, and full of meaning, I have seen them without yet knowing what they were. And they were: wardrobe, chair, and the curtain rail but in this morning light, without notions that describe it they could’ve been anything else. Abstract forms and volumes floating in the light. This experience is helpful in describing my approach to the design process. I always try to filter what is big and general from what is detailed or of less importance. And so my interiors are very much defined by volumes of different shapes and colors. Sometimes they become concrete and down to earth with their function, but sometimes they reject their function and become something else.
The architectural world is constantly evolving with new technologies and materials. Are there any emerging trends or innovations that you're eager to explore in future projects?
I am very excited about the whole branch of design business dedicated to sustainable materials. I think that how we deal with debris will define our future. We have to reinvent our approach to waste not only recycling goods but upcycling them as well. For example, Le Braci restaurant which is all about the plate is filled with porcelain debris mixed with colored cement. The material is called Biel mosaic and is a kind of terrazzo using broken plates to create something new. We clad the bar and some walls with it and also produced wall sconces out of old lamps that were already there. I also used Bolon flooring which is made of recycled vinyl fibres and is very resistant and yet elegant.
The color palette in interior design trends often changes over time. How do you stay updated with the latest color trends?
Sometimes it is an old photograph more often a movie frame or artwork of artists like Sally Skoglund. In Le Braci which is the Italian restaurant we set off with three colours of the Italian flag but very quickly focused on green which is an amazing background for colour scenes. It goes black in the dark and vibrates in direct sunlight. It was after the opening that I learned from a Vogue editor invited for the occasion that “Schwartzwald green” was claimed to be the hottest hue in 2022. Sometimes you know it, and more often you just anticipate it.
Color plays a significant role in interior design, setting the mood and creating a visual impact. Can you share your philosophy on using color in your projects?
When I was looking for the color scheme for Taka Tajka, a Thai restaurant in Warsaw, I considered a client’s inspiration of dusk on a Bangkok street which is why I used a gradient on the walls. I also thought of the popular local stimulant, betel, a small fruit often consumed in Thailand. It dyes the saliva purple, drips down the chin, staining it purple, as well as the hands and, eventually, the entire person, making them purple like the interiors of Taka Tajka. So unlike in Le Braci here the use of purple and magenta was purely conceptual.
Architecture has the power to shape the way people experience spaces. What emotions or feelings do you hope people will experience when interacting with your designs?
Architecture might be a bit overrated in terms of having a significant role in creating experiences. Emotions do, however, play a certain role in design. We feel different with a ceiling high above our heads or a space filled with mirrors. As architects, we convey certain moods or emotions through our design. We lead people through it. We want them to focus or get distracted, get a grip or relax, enjoy, contemplate, be intrigued, or even be intimidated. We use all kinds of techniques: volume scale, haptic materials, and cultural references.
A few piles of wobbling plates that welcome Le Braci clients and the functionless furniture in front of it have a strong appeal. People are intrigued. They crave more, and they get more in terms of design and food when they enter the restaurant. In this case, the architect is awaking hunger, and the restaurant caters to it. We create a certain frame for experience, and then the function of the place has a real impact on people.
