In a captivating new design by the YOD Group, the iconic pastry shop Cukiernia, located in central Lviv, Ukraine, has undergone a transformation that honours its heritage while embracing sustainable and innovative material choices. Initially opened in 2000, Cukiernia has been a favourite among locals and tourists for its historic charm and quality pastries crafted from traditional recipes. The redesign of this beloved establishment aimed to preserve its core identity while refreshing its interior and exploring new symbolic elements that highlight tradition and sustainability.

Material Innovation and Circularity
A core element of the redesign is the unique eggshell plaster used to cover the shop’s walls, a material innovation that adds both aesthetic and symbolic value. Given that eggs are a staple ingredient in many of Cukiernia’s pastries, the material pays homage to the product while incorporating circular and biobased design principles. This material is derived from more than a tonne of eggshells donated by a Ukrainian poultry farm and meticulously processed to create a visually intriguing, warm-toned plaster. Through thorough washing, drying, and grinding, the eggshells were prepared to achieve a smooth, non-abrasive surface, ensuring comfort for guests without compromising on visual interest.

To obtain the desired shade, YOD Group’s designers mixed approximately 1,300 kilograms of white eggshells with 200 kilograms of red shells, allowing the natural tones of the shells to create a warm, inviting palette. The result is a biobased, tactile wall surface that visually conveys the establishment’s link to traditional pastry-making while underscoring sustainability. The confectioners of Cukiernia, who continued to operate during the project preparation, collected brown shells from the eggs, to use in their confectionery.

Embracing Monomaterials
Beyond eggshell plaster, the Cukiernia redesign also heavily incorporates monomaterials for simplicity and continuity, primarily through Italian marble and warm-toned wood accents. This choice aligns with sustainable principles by reducing the diversity of materials used, simplifying future maintenance or potential recycling. The Italian marble, selected in creamy, caramel-toned hues, flows across the floors and countertops, complementing the pastry shop’s theme. The natural veining of the stone subtly evokes the layered look of caramel or cream in cakes, creating a sensory connection for guests.

Alongside the marble, light wood and brass accents bring depth to the interiors. The wooden banisters on the staircase leading to the second level and bentwood chairs, restored from the previous interior, balance the refined textures of the marble and eggshell plaster, contributing to a cohesive, organic aesthetic.

Spatial Design and Lighting
The redesigned space comprises three distinct halls. Upon entering, visitors encounter a multi-tiered display of confections, inviting them to explore the shop’s offerings. A staircase leads up to the second hall, featuring a bar island with a rounded, display-case-inspired design. The largest hall offers varied seating arrangements, including communal tables and private seating, all framed by laconic arched niches that enhance the sense of openness and light.

Given the shop’s limited natural light, designers chose a light colour palette and strategically placed minimalist lighting fixtures by Spanish brand Aromas del Campo. These fixtures, in harmony with the arched windows and furniture, contribute to the airy and understated atmosphere, focusing attention on the pastries themselves.

Tradition Meets Modern Sustainability
The project exemplifies how sustainable materials and thoughtful design can reimagine a historic space without losing its essence. Elements from the original interior, such as bentwood chairs and a classic Lviv Secession-era cabinet, were retained and restored, subtly integrating tradition within a refreshed design. “We aimed not just to update the space but to give Cukiernia a fresh interpretation,” says Volodymyr Nepiyvoda, founder of YOD Group. “The result is an airy, emotionally comfortable interior that highlights the quality of Lviv’s iconic pastries.”

Cukiernia’s interior redesign has been celebrated internationally, winning a Best of Best Award from the Architecture Masterprize, and showcases how traditional crafts, modern materials, and sustainable practices can blend to create a timeless space.

Source: YOD Group
Photos: Yevhenii Avramenko via V2com