Designers Anda Zota and Muromuro Studio have transformed a ground-floor space in a socialist-modernist apartment block into Bar Ton, a contemporary hi-fi listening bar. The design pays homage to the building’s historical significance while blending modern functionality and materiality.
Key Features of Bar Ton
- Historical Context: The apartment block is Bucharest’s first socialist-modernist structure developed locally rather than inspired by Moscow. The design retains much of the original flooring, pillars, and facade.
- Materiality: The interior balances rough materials like raw concrete walls and marble mosaic floors with refined finishes, such as polished stainless steel and birch plywood.
- Innovative Facade: A folding mechanical glass facade adds dynamism and encourages interaction with the surrounding neighborhood, described as a “living facade.”
Interior Highlights
- Central Focus on Music: The DJ booth is placed at the heart of the space, promoting communal listening.
- Acoustic Enhancements: Concealed acoustic systems, including soundproofing and a “room-within-a-room,” ensure high audio quality.
- Lighting Design: Collaborating with Greentek Lighting, the bar features adaptive lighting systems for day and night, enhancing the listening ambiance.
- Built-In Seating: Wooden banquette seating wraps the perimeter, integrating functionality with the minimalist aesthetic.
Designer Vision
“We wanted to highlight the music experience, placing it both physically and conceptually at the center,” said Anda Zota. The minimalist design and lighting aim to create an intimate yet inviting atmosphere, allowing guests to focus on sound without being spotlighted.
