A new cafe and wine bar in Almaty, Kazakhstan, showcases an innovative interior design that adapts throughout the day, seamlessly transitioning from a bright morning coffee shop to an intimate evening wine venue through carefully orchestrated lighting and color schemes.
Six Coffee Wine, designed by local architecture firm NAAW Studio, opened recently in Almaty's historic center. The establishment demonstrates how interior design can reflect the natural progression of daily activities, with spaces that evolve from serving morning coffee and pastries to offering wine and evening dining.
"The concept was built around a gradual shift from morning to evening, from coffee to wine," explained Elvira Bakubayeva, co-founder of NAAW Studio. "This transition unfolds across five connected rooms, each with a distinct character shaped by light, color and material."
The entrance features a striking curved limestone counter that cuts through the space, creating bar-top seating on one side and providing views of an open bakery on the other. The design team chose pink-tinted terrazzo flooring that complements the limestone counter, creating visual harmony while contrasting against sleek stainless steel wall panels, kitchen fixtures, and a sculptural overhead light installation.
One of the most distinctive features throughout the interior is the extensive use of colorful stained glass windows that illuminate the space from behind, creating an ever-changing atmosphere as natural light shifts throughout the day. Built-in bench seating runs along the front wall, integrated with pastel yellow coffee tables that enhance the morning cafe atmosphere. A felt wall tapestry created by local design studio Dunie adds texture and warmth to the space.
"The material palette came out of a desire to balance tactile, natural surfaces with more precise reflective ones," Bakubayeva noted. "Shell limestone brings depth through its fossil-rich texture, while stainless steel elements like the curved bar light offer contrast and clarity."
The central seating area continues the terrazzo flooring and limestone walls theme, paired with an assortment of wood and travertine tables. Dark green seating from Aq Objects, a local furniture brand whose designs draw inspiration from traditional yurt furniture, adds cultural significance to the space. Custom wooden shutters were strategically installed throughout, allowing staff to easily adjust both the tone and quality of light as the venue transitions from day to night operations.
As a visual extension of the wooden shutters, the designers incorporated layered veneer wall panels that create depth and texture. The furniture selection combines custom-made pieces with products from international brands, including sculptural inflatable chairs from Plopp that add a playful element to the sophisticated design. Lighting fixtures were sourced from renowned manufacturers including Tradition, Pholc, and Verpan.
The stained glass windows, which appear throughout the interior, feature a custom gradient design that the studio describes as following "the day to night progression." The pink, yellow, and green tones of the glass panels align with the broader interior color scheme, creating visual continuity across all five rooms. Created in collaboration with artist Zhanel Shakhan, the glass panes include embedded depictions of the cafe itself, serving as a visual thread that connects the various spaces.
According to NAAW Studio, the choice of shell limestone and stained glass was intended as a contemporary interpretation of Almaty's architectural heritage. "Shell limestone visible on the facades of the Kazakhstan Hotel, Palace of the Republic, Arasan Baths and other local landmarks is reinterpreted across interior walls," Bakubayeva explained. "The stained glass draws loosely upon landmarks like the famous Ascension Cathedral, but reworked in a contemporary way."
A series of cased openings finished with metallic trim connect the sequence of rooms, creating flow while maintaining distinct zones. "The interior originally followed a corridor-based layout," Bakubayeva said. "The current openings represent the maximum span allowed within the building's seismic structural constraints."
As visitors move deeper into the space, the material and color palette dramatically shifts to reflect the venue's transformation into a wine bar during evening hours. Marble inlay flooring replaces the terrazzo, while rich burgundy and deep red tones appear throughout the design. A glossy red drinks cabinet anchors the wine service area, complemented by burgundy chairs, area rugs, and lighting fixtures. Matching red panels line the walls and floors of corridors leading to the kitchen and restroom facilities.
"The color palette follows the same progression as the spatial sequence, starting with gentle yellows and soft blush tones in early rooms, while deeper areas lean into more grounded hues," Bakubayeva described. "We aimed for a palette that works on an ambient level – perceptible, but not dominant."
The thoughtful material selection serves multiple purposes beyond aesthetics. The design team wanted the interior to resonate with Almaty's architectural landscape and material heritage, creating a sense of place that honors local building traditions while offering a thoroughly contemporary experience.
During daytime hours, the space functions as a full-service cafe and bakery, with the open kitchen design allowing customers to observe the preparation of fresh pastries and coffee. The light-colored materials and soft pastels create an inviting atmosphere for morning meetings, casual dining, and social gatherings.
As evening approaches, the adjustable wooden shutters allow staff to modify the lighting conditions, while the deeper color palette in the rear spaces naturally draws customers toward the wine bar areas. The transition feels organic rather than forced, supported by the carefully planned material and color progression that guides visitors through the space.
The project demonstrates how interior design can enhance the functionality of mixed-use hospitality spaces, creating environments that feel appropriate for different times of day and various social activities. By using light, color, and materials as tools for spatial transformation, NAAW Studio has created a venue that maximizes its appeal throughout operating hours while maintaining a cohesive design identity.
The photography documenting the completed project was captured by Damir Otegen, whose images showcase how the space appears under different lighting conditions and at various times of day, illustrating the successful execution of the design concept.
