Fact File
Location: Moscow
Total area: 1200 m2
Year: 2018
Client: Black Star
Architecture & design: GRETAPROJECT
Architects: Margarita Denisova, Maxim Kashin
Photo credit: Mikhail Loskutov
Source: V2Com
In creating this unique carwash space, the challenge was to create a space resembling an art object and having a wow factor, but at the same time, ensuring functionality with a proper work setting for the facility. The difficult thing was the facility location – in an underground part of the building in the city center, which means facing the problem of low ceilings and absence of natural light. Thus, the intention was to expand the space visually and change its geometry.
The concept of the interior design involved transformation and refraction of the geometry of the space by the shape of the pattern. The idea is performed by a combination of dark graphite colour, bright calligraphy composition, and light installations. The designers created a special calligraphy pattern that consists of regularly repeated client’s label name BLACK STAR. Graphic and geometric patterns create a memorable setting and expand the enclosed space visually.
The BLACK STAR label symbol is the black sun is used to create the lighting structure in the form of a ring in the washing boxes. The entrance zone has X-formed lighting to form a contrast of the symbols. To make the interior more energetic, linear lamps are located at 45-degree angle on both sides of the entrance and exit. They create visual movement of the visitor’s sight and leads the visitor to the main part of the facility. The detailing light sign is located near the entrance of the carwash and is the hallmark of the project.
The cafe is a prolongation of simple space refraction by sophisticated geometry of the pattern applied to it. Thus, regular rectangular forms are perceived as complex geometry creating the visual effect and drawing visitors’ attention.
