This is just fantastic. Cafe Graffiti, designed by MODE Design Studio in Varna, Bulgaria, is the whole enchilada. In the past I have extolled the greatness of ceilings that are good and unique building elements in their own right. This project though, takes the cake.
photography by © 3 in Spirit
Three visually strong and extraordinarily expressive columns take hold of the central space in a very open indoor dining room. Hundreds of form-giving slivers come together radially to form their unique, bannister-like visages, giving them a quality of dissolving solidity. As they approach the ceiling, the slivers make a rounded 90̊ turn to become the ceiling.
photography by © 3 in Spirit
These three columns form the central basis for a grid which divides the ceiling. The slivers, now strips, give a dynamism to the top of the room. They extend radially from the columns and at the grid lines, ‘fold’, creating an undulation, excited further by the lights hidden behind.
In my opinion, all the Cafe Graffiti needs now is a great chef. Because they got the interior taken care of. Bad food is the only thing that could bring this place down.
photography by © 3 in Spirit
© MODE Design Studio
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.