NIAM NIAM GARDEN

ARCHAEOLOGY OF SPACE: REVEALED BRICK

On Trubarjeva Street in Ljubljana, where traditional Slovenian architecture meets diverse immigrant stories, we designed the renovation of a more than hundred-year-old townhouse for the restaurant NIAM NIAM GARDEN. The aim of the project was to create a space that blends subtle elements of Asian culture with local architectural heritage, while preserving the identity of the historic building.

The renovation unfolded as a patient process of uncovering the building’s hidden layers. Brick vaults emerged—quiet carriers of history that give the space a calm rhythm and define the interior’s essential character. Further removal of floor layers revealed brick flooring, which, together with the vaults, restored materiality and warmth to the space. Brick, a traditional building material in both Slovenia and China, became the conceptual foundation of the design. With its natural tone and human scale, it allows the new interventions to remain restrained and respectfully integrated into the whole.

Subtly selected lighting fixtures with an Asian tone create a gentle geometry and soft illumination. The lighting elements do not dominate; instead, they complement the materiality of the vaults and floor, co-shaping the restaurant’s atmosphere. With this design approach, the space distances itself from the stereotypical visual identity of Chinese restaurants, which is often overloaded and decoratively saturated, and remains clean, understated, and architecturally thoughtful.

The garden, positioned between the street and the river, is designed as an intimate forecourt of the restaurant. In summer, it becomes an open center of activity, while in winter its character softens and it functions as a transitional space that distances visitors from the lively street and prepares them for entering the interior. A vertical planting of bamboo along the garden wall creates a sense of shelter. The transition between exterior and interior is marked by red doors that guide visitors into the slower rhythm of the nearly century-old house.

The interior arrangement follows the principles of quiet architecture: brick vaults, materials with historical character, and controlled lighting create harmonious comfort. The house does not seek ornamentation but emphasizes the balance between spatial components, light, and function. Existing materials remain visible and readable, while new elements simply complement the design.

NIAM NIAM GARDEN is an example of architectural renovation that respects the historical context and material identity of the building while introducing new cultural dimensions. The interior enables a quiet and respectful interweaving of old and new, as well as of diverse materials. The renovation highlights how an intervention, in dialogue with the existing space, can combine function and cultural elements into a holistic architectural experience that activates all the senses and allows the space to communicate with the visitor.