type: restaurant
location: Kyiv, Ukraine
area: 2 000 m2
status: built (2016)
architect: Oleg Volosovskiy
photo credits: Andrey Avdeenko

“CHI” is that which gives life. In Buddhism, it means energy, vitality, and life force. This concept is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world and is central to their forms of medicine and healing.

“Terracotta Army” impresses the “Temple of Music” entrance and reminds an archaeological site.
The design concept combines colonial architecture with the cultural heritage of Latin America and Indo-China. At times it recalls Frank Lloyd Wright’s interior design style. The studio likes to call it “Colonial Loft.” The most used materials are concrete (cast in hundred different shapes), metal, wood, and glass.

CHI is an Indochinese restaurant, a music club, and a lively venue for private parties. This place is known as the “Temple of Music” and stands on the slopes of the Pechersk hills overlooking the majestic Dnipro River.

The floor area covers 2000 sqm and is divided into three zones: an entrance corridor showcasing some replica statues of the Chinese “Terracotta Army” (which have become the ‘business card’ of the project), a kitchen plant and technical room, and finally, the main hall including bar, restaurant, dancing floor and a large terrace with a terrific view over the city park.

The interiors are decorated with handmade stone cladding featuring Indian tribes’ geometric patterns, sculptures, and furnishings with oriental textures Light plays a significant role in creating a unique atmosphere. Three round chandeliers (3-meter diameter each made of Venetian crystals) and several geometric hanging lamps give life to spectacular lighting shows starting an infinite number of scenarios via individually addressable controllers. In 2017, the CHI project won an Award of Merit at the IES Illumination Awards for its originality in lighting design.

From day to night, furniture is constantly changed. Comfortable dining zones are transformed into one-side-looking sitting areas (to the DJ); dining tables become lower coffee tables thanks to a unique system designed by Loft Buro.