A Culinary Symphony: Where Italy Meets the Caucasus at "Giorgio Suluguni" restaurant in Krasnaya polyana.​

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Designers: SOIA Design
Location: Sochi, Russia
Area: 1,290 ft² (120 m²)
Year: 2022
Photography: Vlad Feoktistov
Lead Designers: Anton Baklan, Ekaterina Baklan
Website: www.soiadesign.com 

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Project Description

Giorgio Suluguni is a contemporary Georgian restaurant located in the heart of Sochi, brought to life by SOIA Design as a playful, vivid, and immersive dining environment. Spanning 120 square meters, the project reimagines traditional Georgian hospitality through a modern, expressive lens—blending bold visual storytelling with a fine-tuned spatial composition.

Design Narrative

The restaurant’s name, “Giorgio Suluguni,” fuses Mediterranean flair with Georgian roots—“Giorgio” evoking a cosmopolitan host, and “Suluguni” referencing the iconic cheese deeply tied to Georgian culinary culture. This light-hearted duality forms the core of the concept: bright, joyful, and unmistakably character-driven.

SOIA Design sought to create not just a restaurant, but a sensorial destination—a place where geometry, contrast, and cultural motifs spark curiosity and delight.

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Spatial Experience

From the first step inside, high-impact contrast and sculptural form define the atmosphere. Walls clad in glossy ceramic tiles imitating black marble provide a dramatic backdrop, while black-and-white geometric floor tiles recall the glamour of a Gatsby-era ballroom—dynamic, rhythmic, and full of motion.

The ceiling, coated in textured plaster, reflects soft, ambient lighting, creating a theatrical interplay between matte and gloss, light and shadow. Overhead, custom brass lighting installations add a warm counterbalance to the cool ceramic finishes below.

The central bar area—designed as the spatial anchor—is crafted in microcement and fluted concrete, framed by slender steel shelves. Its sculptural geometry and contrasting materials ensure it’s not just functional but visually magnetic.

 

Material Palette

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• Walls: High-gloss ceramic tiles that emulate the richness and depth of black marble

• Ceiling: Sculpted plaster finish with soft curves and textured layers

• Flooring: Custom-patterned ceramic tiles in black and white geometric forms, evoking 1920s Art Deco rhythms

• Furniture: Bespoke wood and steel pieces with richly textured fabrics in warm ochres and deep claret

• Bar & Fixtures: Fluted concrete, oxidized metal detailing, and aged brass accents

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This palette allows texture, reflection, and geometry to define the space without visual noise.

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Cultural and Visual Identity

Rather than resorting to ethnic motifs, Giorgio Suluguni communicates its cultural roots through emotion and energy. Elements of traditional Georgian feasts—communal tables, layered ambiance, expressive materials—are distilled into abstract forms. The result is a modern space with ethnic soul, where memory and visual intrigue coexist.

The eye-catching aesthetic challenges the idea that cultural restaurants must be rustic or subdued—here, brightness and boldness become storytelling tools.

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Sustainability & Craftsmanship

The design favors durable, locally sourced materials such as regional ceramics and handcrafted décor. Custom lighting and furniture were developed in close collaboration with artisans, ensuring the project supports both local makers and long-term quality.

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Conclusion

Giorgio Suluguni is more than a restaurant—it’s a celebration of contrast, culture, and creative vision. With its striking geometry, bold materiality, and sophisticated playfulness, SOIA Design has crafted a vibrant social space that ignites the senses and redefines modern Georgian dining.​

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Photos of completed restaurant design project

​Take a look at how realized photos compare to 3d visualizations below!

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