Kafana Obala
A riverside kafana in Zemun, rebuilt after a flood with a floor and walls that can take water and dry out in a weekend.
Zemun quay, Belgrade
2023
240 m²
Completed
Obala Zemun
Unsplash
The Danube came through the old dining room in spring 2021 and ruined everything below a metre. The owners did not want to move, so the question became how to build something the river could visit again.
Below one metre
Polished concrete floor, glazed tile on the walls, stainless steel bar base and no plasterboard. Banquettes sit on steel legs and the cushions come off.
Above one metre
Lime plaster, oak tables, linen and warm light. It is still a kafana. The owners were clear that regulars should feel at home on the first night, so we kept the old bar layout and the corner table where the musicians play.