modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts

geometric clarity and clean lines draw from soviet modernist principles.

J.Morgan edited by christina vergopoulou July 13, 2026 4 min

a café opens at Almaty Museum of Arts by hospitality group ABR

Designed by Khalansky Oleg and Khablova Vera, Cafe Alma is located within the Almaty Museum of Arts in Kazakhstan, where it establishes a connection between the museum’s exhibition spaces and the surrounding urban environment. Developed for hospitality group ABR, the 104-sqm café was completed within a 2.5-month timeframe and is conceived as an extension of the museum’s public realm rather than an isolated commercial space.

The project addresses the relationship between cultural institutions and everyday urban activity by creating a fluid transition between the galleries, café interior, and outdoor terrace. The flow-through layout connects the museum environment with the adjacent city avenue, allowing the café to function as both a destination and a continuation of the visitor experience.

The interior design draws from Almaty’s mid-century architectural heritage, referencing the geometric clarity, clean lines, and structural simplicity associated with Soviet modernism and constructivism. A custom-designed curved open bar forms the central element of the space, combining functional requirements with a precise architectural expression through the use of steel, metal, and natural wood veneer.

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 1 — all images by Damir Otegen

A material palette of wood, steel, and terrazzo defines Cafe Alma

The material palette establishes a dialogue between the museum’s contemporary architectural shell and the café’s identity. Sapele wood veneer introduces warmth and a textured surface rhythm, while stainless steel and terrazzo elements provide contrast through their industrial character and reflective qualities. These materials are complemented by a selection of paintings by Central Asian artists, extending the museum’s artistic context into the café environment.

Indoor greenery and Marcel Breuer’s S 64 chairs (Thonet, 1929) contribute additional layers of material and historical reference, combining European modernist design with elements connected to Almaty’s architectural memory. Through its spatial organization and material choices, Cafe Alma, designed by khalansky architectural studio and hospitality group ABR, creates a setting where cultural programming, hospitality, and daily urban activity intersect within the museum context.

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 2 — Cafe Alma extends the Almaty Museum of Arts into a space for everyday urban activity

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 3 — the café creates a transition between exhibition spaces and the surrounding city

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 4 — geometric clarity and clean lines draw from Soviet modernist principles

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 5 — a curved open bar forms the central element of the space

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 6 — steel, metal, and natural veneer define the bar’s architectural expression

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 7 — Sapele wood veneer introduces warmth and a textured surface rhythm

modernist-cafe-layered-wood-steel-almaty-museum-arts-khalansky-cafe-alma-designboom-1800-3 — the material palette responds to the museum’s contemporary architectural shell

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 8 — the café functions as both a destination and an extension of the museum

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 9 — central Asian artworks extend the museum’s cultural program into the café

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 10 — Marcel Breuer’s S 64 chairs introduce a historic design reference

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 11 — the interior balances warm textures with precise geometric details

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 12 — a flow-through layout links the galleries, café, and outdoor terrace

modernist-inspired café framed by layered wood and steel extends almaty museum of arts - 13 — the café creates a shared space between culture, design, and city life

modernist-cafe-layered-wood-steel-almaty-museum-arts-khalansky-cafe-alma-designboom-1800-2 — European modernism meets Almaty’s architectural memory through furniture and materials

project info:

name: Cafe Alma
architect: Khalansky Architects – Oleg Khalansky | @khalansky.architects

interior designer: Vera Khablova | @khablova_interiors

client: ABR

location: Almaty Museum of Arts, Almaty, Kazakhstan

photographer: Damir Otegen | @damir_otegen_

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