BARCODE
2012
Lucerne

Project, realisation
Client: Hewes GmbH
Images: Aytac Pekdemir

The Bruch district is among Lucerne’s most desirable areas for both living and working. Its proximity to the historic center, combined with a heterogeneous social fabric, contributes significantly to its urban quality. The project “Barcode” on Klosterstrasse establishes a spatial and programmatic link between the dynamic Neustadt and the multicultural Baselstrasse.

The existing premises were characterized by an irregular and fragmented plan. The intervention focused on clarifying spatial organization through minimal means. The interior was stripped back to its structural shell, exposing the load-bearing masonry and existing cement render, thereby revealing the building’s constructive logic.

Given the dual function as restaurant and bar, the design prioritizes both operational efficiency and atmospheric identity. The Near Eastern concept is translated into spatial experience through a distinctive lighting installation composed of recycled illuminated letters. These elements function as a contemporary reinterpretation of ornamental patterns, generating a dynamic visual layer that shifts with perspective. Their variable intensity allows for different ambiences depending on use. Mounted across the exposed brick surfaces, they introduce color, rhythm, and depth.

The material strategy juxtaposes raw and refined elements: simple dark tables are paired with brightly colored plastic chairs, while untreated OSB panels define the bar and ancillary spaces. A brass-toned finish, applied consistently throughout the interior with the exception of the floor, unifies the space and imparts a warm, cohesive atmosphere.