Hookah Bar Nargile

KMAN STUDIO interior project

When our client contacted us to design the interior of a traditional oriental hookah bar in Sofia, we sought inspiration in the “One thousand and one nights” stories, and the intricate geometric patterns adorning classical Islamic architecture. Housed in a 200sqm rectangular area which opens to a garden in the south, we created a space that celebrates the centuries-long tradition of hookah smoking with a bold and modern twist.

Enjoying hookah is a social rather than individual experience, in which friends share a pipe around a table over hours-long conversations, board games, or simply enjoy some peace and silence together. Thus, the main focus was naturally the lounge area, around which a custom 3d printed sculptural ceiling wraps gently and provides careful yet fluid balance between privacy and communication. Generated by 7456 wooden cylinders, the shape is in constant play with the ground floor following the curvatures on the ground and emphasizing the contours. The furniture is in organic shapes, allowing for simple and intuitive reconfiguration depending on the size of the group and their desire to either isolate themselves or stay in contact with the rest of the space. We also defined the entrance as a separate volume, forming a buffering zone between the noisy street and the abstract magical atmosphere inside.

The result is an elegant and welcoming space where traditional patterns play with modern technologies and design techniques.