The newly opened Futura Lounge adds a sophisticated new flavour to Moscow‘s hospitality scene, and it’s one that ticks all the boxes of the design-initiated. Situated a stone’s throw away from Red Square, in the historic downtown area known as Kitay Gorod, the hookah lounge occupies 283 sqm. (3,046 sq.ft.) on the premises of a listed building in neo-Renaissance style by Russian architect Aleksandr Kaminskiy (1829-1879). The interior design of Futura Lounge, created by architects Aleksey Klimov and Eugene Cherkas of Minsk-based creative practice Atelier Prototipi, warps its patrons into fantasy-infused settings that detach them from daily routines, and as such, offer a new kind of socialising and relaxation. Interestingly, the chosen design codes are inspired by designer Verner Panton‘s elaborate Visona 2 stand for Swiss company Von Roll at the Hannover Messe in 1978.
Adding up to a fully immersive experience at Futura Lounge is sound, and consequently, each room on the premises come with vintage acoustic systems in a variety of media, from magnetic tapes to vinyl records. Mind you, in the first room, a veritable rarity is on display—a meticulously restored Seeburg 222 jukebox manufactured in 1959. Upon entering the premises through a massive stainless steel door, the enchantment of the design instantly kicks in. A consecutive number of rooms, each with a distinct design and ambiance, offering patrons plenty of space to mingle and sit back over a glass, a bite, and last but not least, a smoke. Next to spacious halls and lounges with adjacent bars, more intimate nooks are readily available, such as a music room – mind you, this spot comes with a vintage record player and a matching collection of rare vinyl – and small smoking rooms.
The attention to detail is evident across the premises, captured by the eclectic choice of materials and colours, their meticulous juxtapositions, but also it also shows in how the building’s legacy is seamlessly embedded in the design’s proportions and entirely new context. The silhouette of the windows, vaulted ceilings and the construction layer of the walls have been retained, and better yet, emphasised by a rich graphite colour which unites all rooms. Additionally, a patterned tile floor does the very same trick. Futura Lounge‘s two bars, arguably the most popular nooks on the premises, feature alluring elements. One boasts a geometric bar island crafted from stone with a wavy pattern and a front mirrored wall. In stark contrast, the other watering hole is all stainless steel and ceramic tiles. Needless to say, the venue is also dotted with a string of quirky furnishings and fixtures, ranging from, yes indeed, Vernon Panton‘s System chair, to light sculptures inspired by Isamu Noguchi’s work, and a sculptural bar station made of Crystal Knight granite. © superfuture.com
Futura Lounge
Nikolskaya ulitsa 19-21 (Kitay Gorod)
109012 Moscow
Telephone +7 495 1110019
Mon-Thu 12pm-2am
Fri-Sat 12pm-4am
Sun 12pm-2am
Publishers Note
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