Livingstone restaurant of African cuisine was opened in May in Samara, the design project of which was developed by the Pergaev Bureau. The architects were able to turn a complex of multi-level premises into a unique place filled with an authentic African atmosphere.

Restaurateur Evgeny Reimer brought inspiration for cuisine and design from his travels among Africa and the Middle East. That is why the central idea of ​​Livingston is restaurant-journey. It is designed to give vivid emotions from immersion in a new culture and its research. Discoveries are waiting for the guests not only in the menu, but also at the level of the atmosphere: through authentic musical accompaniment, installations and museum exhibits that are found everywhere.

The restaurant is full of references to the culture and nature of Africa. There are a lot of natural materials and textures, national patterns, play of light and shadows. However, the architects managed to avoid direct quotes and luxury attributes: animal skins, traditional bright ornaments, the usual dark wood. Thanks to this, the space of Livingstone turned out not to be pretentious and not overloaded, but, on the contrary, quite calm and fresh.

The study of the African world is facilitated by the Chef's Table format, which was not previously available in restaurants in Samara. This is a gastronomic show where the chef prepares special dishes that are not on the main menu. In the process, he communicates with guests, reveals the secrets of recipes and talks about the ingredients.

The space in which Livingston is located was not originally adapted for a restaurant. It has a complex layout, where at different levels there are many separate rooms connected by long corridors.

Working with such a space was difficult, but the architects were able to turn the non-standard layout into a unique feature of the restaurant. Several halls, corridors that have become museum showcases, VIP rooms, the Chef's Table hall - they flow into each other and create a labyrinth that is interesting to explore.

Two staircases lead from the Big Five hall to different levels. At the bottom, the architects provided two small VIP rooms. To accommodate them, every centimeter of space had to be taken into consideration - it was impossible to expand it.

On the level above is the Chef's Table room. An empty space formed under the stairs that needed to be used, and so it turned into a large museum exposition. And on the landing they made a wine hall.

The main task of the Livingstone restaurant is educational. Thanks to the unusual layout, guests are gradually immersed in the culture of Africa. Acquaintance begins with the main hall, which is decorated with masks, household items, figurines, reliefs. In the following rooms you can see traditional African tools, dishes and animal exhibits. The culmination of this path is the Big Five Hall. It was there that the exhibits of the big African five were located: elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion and leopard.

Livingstone has guides who conduct excursions for guests, in which they talk about each exhibit, about the life of the Masai people, and also reveal the role of conservation hunting in the preserving of African wildlife. In this way, the restaurant allows guests to expand their horizons through a carefully thought-out concept.

The unique concept of the restaurant ensured its success. Guests come to Livingstone not just to eat, but first of all to experience vivid emotions that are comparable to a real trip to distant Africa. A fresh and not banal interior allows you to get to know Africa from a new perspective - not stereotypical, but authentic, genuine.

The Pergaev Bureau architects can turn any nuances of space into advantages that will form the unique look of the object. A restaurant can become a multifunctional space that will be interesting to explore and make you want to visit again and again. To discuss your idea, leave a request in the form below.