In the heart of Gdańsk, Poland‘s historic downtown, a new café, Doble, has emerged, challenging the city’s traditional aesthetic with a bold and experimental design. Conceived by Sikora Interiors, this space is less a traditional café and more a sculptural installation, drawing inspiration not from Gdańsk’s Hanseatic past, but from the ephemeral delights of the dessert world. The result is a striking juxtaposition, a playful rebellion against the city’s architectural heritage.
Sikora Interios sought to establish a strong, new brand identity with Doble moving far beyond the predictable café formula. Their vision was a space that felt light and delightful, a whimsical experience without succumbing to saccharine clichés. This delicate balance is achieved through a carefully curated blend of minimalist and classicizing elements.
A French herringbone floor lays the foundation for this dialogue, its traditional pattern contrasting yet harmonizing with the clean lines of the minimalist ceiling. Similarly, classic ceiling moldings and sculpted table legs, reminiscent of a bygone era, find themselves paired with chairs featuring traditional woven backrests, creating a subtle tension between old and new.
The pièce de résistance, however, is undoubtedly the ceiling. Described by the designers as a personal expression, it’s a dynamic, geometric composition that evokes the spirit of Kurt Schwitters. This wasn’t a design conceived on paper, but rather a spontaneous creation, sculpted on-site each day. This ephemeral approach, akin to performance art, imbues the space with a unique energy. The designer describes the process as a “return to the past and a subversion of the meaning of design in interior architecture,” where the design was intentionally absent, allowing for improvisation and a direct connection to the creative process. Just as the desserts served at Doble are fleeting moments of culinary art, the ceiling installation is a testament to the beauty of impermanence.
Doble’s ambition extended beyond creating a visually stunning space. The goal was to foster a welcoming atmosphere, a place filled with excitement and a spirit of experimentation. This has clearly resonated with the public. The café has become a destination, attracting a diverse clientele, including celebrities and YouTubers, drawn by the unique ambiance and, perhaps, the allure of the “spiciest dessert in the world.”
Doble stands as a striking counterpoint to the historic fabric of Gdańsk. It’s a bold statement, a testament to the power of design to disrupt and redefine. More than just a café, it’s an experience, a conversation between tradition and innovation, a place where the ephemeral nature of art and dessert collide in a symphony of form and flavor. It’s a space that proves that even in a city steeped in history, there’s always room for a touch of the unexpected, a dash of the daring, and a generous helping of playful creativity.