Blumery
Studio Cirque.Menu transformed the space of the former branch of the Czech Post at Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague into a café and bar called Blumery. The main role here is played by light that creates different atmospheres throughout the day and across the seasons. The architectural design took into account operational needs, offered an above-standard experience, and incorporated elements drawing from the surrounding district.
The reconstruction, undertaken by Studio Cirque.Menu, began with a comprehensive technical solution for the entire space, which the city district of Prague 3 offered for lease after a substantial reduction of postal branches. The selection tender was won by the owners of the popular café Kolektor in the Exhibition Palace. “When we first stayed here longer into the evening and experienced how the space is flooded with the light of the setting red sun behind the church, it became clear. Suddenly, we could imagine a romantic dinner, flowers on the table, and a place where people return for an experience, not just for quality coffee. Vinohrady called for a poetic establishment that is significantly different from the Kolektor concept,” explains one of the owners, Tomáš Macháček.
In collaboration with the designers, it was necessary to design new air conditioning systems, adjust sanitary facilities, the capacity of restrooms, and the overall operational logic so that the establishment would meet current standards and the demands of a modern café with a kitchen. The spaces in the sought-after location of Vinohrady were thus to become a fully functional gastronomic operation with a distinct atmosphere and a clearly defined experience. “We established contact with the team from Kolektor Café years ago when we held afterparties for Designblok in the Exhibition Palace. For this project, we easily found common ground between the vision of the interior and the operation of the café,” explains architect Petr Hák.
On this technical foundation, a concept was developed in collaboration with the client, which places light as the main tool for shaping the atmosphere. The café layout is divided into a generous entrance area with a bar, which is illuminated through windows overlooking the neighboring Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, a corner section suitable for separate gatherings, and technical and gastro facilities. The architectural interventions respond to both the practical needs of operations and the context of the place. A step under the stainless steel bar draws from the proportions of the cladding of the neighboring church designed by architect Jože Plečnik, creating a subtle link to the local architectural heritage. The colored reflections on their surfaces enhance the overall character of the interior as an artistic installation.
The dominant feature became custom-made LED tube lighting, whose variable colors allow the interior to naturally adjust to the time of day and the season. In the summer months, light tones are used to evoke a sense of freshness and visually cool the interior. Conversely, warmer orange shades prevail in winter, enhancing the feelings of intimacy and coziness. In the evening hours, the light transitions to a more pronounced red, emphasizing the nighttime character of the bar and experiential bistro, or it adapts its color spectrum to thematic parties.
Studio Cirque.Menu does not specialize solely in architecture, but has, among other things, furniture pieces in its portfolio that have become characteristic for Blumery. The three-meter stainless steel Banquet tables and stools support flexible arrangements and naturally invite shared dining, brunches, and informal meetings. At the same time, they reflect the outdoor light penetrating through the large arched windows and, thanks to their easy handling, can quickly change seating arrangements—from morning café to daytime bistro to evening bar.
Blumery thus represents not only a new gastronomic establishment but a dynamic environment that responds to time, light, and dynamics. “The project demonstrates how architecture can create a space through lighting, materials, furniture, and thoughtful details that becomes an active part of the guest's experience,” adds designer Zbyněk Krulich from the studio.
The reconstruction, undertaken by Studio Cirque.Menu, began with a comprehensive technical solution for the entire space, which the city district of Prague 3 offered for lease after a substantial reduction of postal branches. The selection tender was won by the owners of the popular café Kolektor in the Exhibition Palace. “When we first stayed here longer into the evening and experienced how the space is flooded with the light of the setting red sun behind the church, it became clear. Suddenly, we could imagine a romantic dinner, flowers on the table, and a place where people return for an experience, not just for quality coffee. Vinohrady called for a poetic establishment that is significantly different from the Kolektor concept,” explains one of the owners, Tomáš Macháček.
In collaboration with the designers, it was necessary to design new air conditioning systems, adjust sanitary facilities, the capacity of restrooms, and the overall operational logic so that the establishment would meet current standards and the demands of a modern café with a kitchen. The spaces in the sought-after location of Vinohrady were thus to become a fully functional gastronomic operation with a distinct atmosphere and a clearly defined experience. “We established contact with the team from Kolektor Café years ago when we held afterparties for Designblok in the Exhibition Palace. For this project, we easily found common ground between the vision of the interior and the operation of the café,” explains architect Petr Hák.
On this technical foundation, a concept was developed in collaboration with the client, which places light as the main tool for shaping the atmosphere. The café layout is divided into a generous entrance area with a bar, which is illuminated through windows overlooking the neighboring Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, a corner section suitable for separate gatherings, and technical and gastro facilities. The architectural interventions respond to both the practical needs of operations and the context of the place. A step under the stainless steel bar draws from the proportions of the cladding of the neighboring church designed by architect Jože Plečnik, creating a subtle link to the local architectural heritage. The colored reflections on their surfaces enhance the overall character of the interior as an artistic installation.
The dominant feature became custom-made LED tube lighting, whose variable colors allow the interior to naturally adjust to the time of day and the season. In the summer months, light tones are used to evoke a sense of freshness and visually cool the interior. Conversely, warmer orange shades prevail in winter, enhancing the feelings of intimacy and coziness. In the evening hours, the light transitions to a more pronounced red, emphasizing the nighttime character of the bar and experiential bistro, or it adapts its color spectrum to thematic parties.
Studio Cirque.Menu does not specialize solely in architecture, but has, among other things, furniture pieces in its portfolio that have become characteristic for Blumery. The three-meter stainless steel Banquet tables and stools support flexible arrangements and naturally invite shared dining, brunches, and informal meetings. At the same time, they reflect the outdoor light penetrating through the large arched windows and, thanks to their easy handling, can quickly change seating arrangements—from morning café to daytime bistro to evening bar.
Blumery thus represents not only a new gastronomic establishment but a dynamic environment that responds to time, light, and dynamics. “The project demonstrates how architecture can create a space through lighting, materials, furniture, and thoughtful details that becomes an active part of the guest's experience,” adds designer Zbyněk Krulich from the studio.
Cirque.Menu
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