Santino
- Location
- 36 Pushkin St., Yerevan, Armenia
- Total area
- 105 m²
- Status
- Completed
Project presentation
Santino is a vibrant space where Renaissance classicism meets contemporary casual aesthetics. The concept centers around the idea of a playful reinterpretation of historical references within a modern context.
One of the key inspirations was Raphael's School of Athens — its iconic arch composition became a guiding motif, mirroring the existing structural arches of the building. The entire interior is designed around the Renaissance theme: at the center of the space, a circular high table surrounds a structural column wrapped with a Renaissance figure from Raphael's fresco.
Playful classicism
The angel graphic, applied onto the mirrored wall of the mezzanine, reinforces the central concept of playful classicism. Referencing Baroque-era motifs through a contemporary technique, it lightens the mood of the interior and draws a subtle connection to the Renaissance themes embedded throughout the space, particularly the central high table inspired by Raphael's School of Athens.
Architectural solutions
The merchandising wall is designed as a multifunctional unit that integrates product display, branded merchandise, and storage. Its bold triangular top frame visually references classical pediments while reinforcing the identity of the space. Built-in seating along the lower edge optimizes the footprint and invites casual use. Tiled arches frame the open kitchen and service counter, visually echoing the classical arch forms of Renaissance architecture. The gesture both reflects the spatial rhythm of Raphael's composition and grounds the culinary experience as a visible, theatrical element, its material simplicity contrasting with the historic reference to create a clean yet characterful focal point.
Gallery (6)