The cafe and pizzeria Academia is a chain of restaurants in Moscow. The new establishment takes up a two level space within business centre on one of of Moscow’s major thoroughfares – Prospect Mira.

The street level space uses simple and stern materials. Partitions of steel and glass, wood screens and broken ceramic tiles on the floor create the signature Academia atmosphere. The austere staircase welded from sheets of black steel is enlivened by an expressive vertical mural, which was created by artist Cyril Makrushin especially for this space. The simple dining areas are accentuated with lights by Atelier Areti, One Nordic and the Russian industrial designer Katya Kapytina.

Upstairs the interior opens up with large windows onto the bustling Riga overpass. The choice of lighting fixtures and artwork further reflect on this location. A large round opening adds depth of field to the compact space and acts as a centrepiece.

Photography: Asya Baranova