Start a project
Start a project
Start a project
Chernyi
Year:
2020
Area:
100
sq.m.
Location:
33A Yaroslava Mudroho
,
Kharkiv
,
Ukraine
Tagline:
Black as light and shadow
Type:
Coffee Shop
,
Bar
,
Bistro
Photo:
Ivan Avdeenko
Honors:
2021 ArchDaily, Nominated for Building of the Year
2021 The Best, Interior Design
2021 The Best, Retail Design
2021 Interior of the Year, Shortlist HoReCa
2020 Architecture collection, Featured on Behance
Year:
2020
Area:
100
sq.m.
Location:
33A Yaroslava Mudroho
,
Kharkiv
,
Ukraine
Tagline:
Black as light and shadow
Type:
Coffee Shop
,
Bar
,
Bistro
Photo:
Ivan Avdeenko
Honors:
2021 ArchDaily, Nominated for Building of the Year
2021 The Best, Interior Design
2021 The Best, Retail Design
2021 Interior of the Year, Shortlist HoReCa
2020 Architecture collection, Featured on Behance
About
CHERNYI is a bar in central Kharkiv where the interior is defined by a radical rejection of decoration in favour of pure structure. The space is built on clarity, balance, and the expressiveness of minimal means. Here, darkness is viewed not as a void, but as a primary construction element—a substance that allows light and material to shape perception, transforming a visit to the bar into a profound sensory experience.
About
CHERNYI is a bar in central Kharkiv where the interior is defined by a radical rejection of decoration in favour of pure structure. The space is built on clarity, balance, and the expressiveness of minimal means. Here, darkness is viewed not as a void, but as a primary construction element—a substance that allows light and material to shape perception, transforming a visit to the bar into a profound sensory experience.
Context
Located on the ground floor of a residential building in Kharkiv’s historic center, the space was stripped back to its structure. Partitions were removed, floor-to-ceiling windows installed, and a direct entrance to the street added. Two central columns defined the spatial rhythm and divided the bar into functional zones.
Context
Located on the ground floor of a residential building in Kharkiv’s historic center, the space was stripped back to its structure. Partitions were removed, floor-to-ceiling windows installed, and a direct entrance to the street added. Two central columns defined the spatial rhythm and divided the bar into functional zones.
Concept
The concept explores the perception of black as material. Darkness is treated not as absence but as substance that enhances contrast, precision, and reflection. The combination of matte sand and polished steel defines the atmosphere — a study of texture, proportion, and controlled light.
Concept
The concept explores the perception of black as material. Darkness is treated not as absence but as substance that enhances contrast, precision, and reflection. The combination of matte sand and polished steel defines the atmosphere — a study of texture, proportion, and controlled light.
Design
The interior layout follows the rhythm of two structural columns. They organize the bar into four clear zones — entrance, counter, seating, and service. Spatial hierarchy is created by light and reflection instead of walls, ensuring visual continuity and functional efficiency.
Design
The interior layout follows the rhythm of two structural columns. They organize the bar into four clear zones — entrance, counter, seating, and service. Spatial hierarchy is created by light and reflection instead of walls, ensuring visual continuity and functional efficiency.
All engineering systems are concealed behind a suspended stainless steel ceiling. This solution serves a dual function: technically masking ventilation while aesthetically supporting the bar’s overall geometric precision. The seamless joints and restrained proportions of the metal plane create an effect of "visual silence", upholding the logic of minimal intervention within the space.
All engineering systems are concealed behind a suspended stainless steel ceiling. This solution serves a dual function: technically masking ventilation while aesthetically supporting the bar’s overall geometric precision. The seamless joints and restrained proportions of the metal plane create an effect of "visual silence", upholding the logic of minimal intervention within the space.
Polished stainless steel works in contrast to the velvet quartz. It provides necessary reflections, emphasising the professional character of the bar and balancing the tactile contrast of the surfaces. Lighting here is minimal and integrated into the architecture: it is present only where functionally necessary, highlighting surface geometry rather than flooding the space with volume.
Together with The TSEKH, a new black quartz coating was developed — a surface that absorbs light and creates depth. In contrast stands brushed stainless steel: cold, precise, professional. Its reflections animate the space, shifting tone throughout the day as light moves across surfaces.
Polished stainless steel works in contrast to the velvet quartz. It provides necessary reflections, emphasising the professional character of the bar and balancing the tactile contrast of the surfaces. Lighting here is minimal and integrated into the architecture: it is present only where functionally necessary, highlighting surface geometry rather than flooding the space with volume.
A key tactile solution was the development of a black quartz wall coating (realised in collaboration with The TSEKH). The sand texture functions to physically absorb light, creating depth without the use of colour. This lends the vertical surfaces a dense, granular structure that dampens superfluous reflections and contributes to the creation of an intimate atmosphere.
A key tactile solution was the development of a black quartz wall coating (realised in collaboration with The TSEKH). The sand texture functions to physically absorb light, creating depth without the use of colour. This lends the vertical surfaces a dense, granular structure that dampens superfluous reflections and contributes to the creation of an intimate atmosphere.
Interior design practice
Hospitality · Wellness · Workspaces
Worldwide
Planning a space?
Tell me what you're working on.
I’ll tell you how I can help.
hi@ponomarenko-volodymyr.com
Interior design practice
Hospitality · Wellness · Workspaces
Worldwide
Planning a space?
Tell me what you're working on.
I’ll tell you how I can help.
hi@ponomarenko-volodymyr.com
Interior design practice
Hospitality · Wellness · Workspaces
Worldwide
Planning a space?
Tell me what you're working on.
I’ll tell you how I can help.
hi@ponomarenko-volodymyr.com