Kaunas Interwar Cafes and Restaurant: Feasibility Study and Proposals Regarding Restoration and Revival

Abstract

In the research, the case study deals with the interiors of catering establishments reflecting different models of the décor styles of the time. Government institutions have preserved the public interiors of buildings characterized by recurrent academic and historical motifs complemented by elements of the National style. On the contrary, the interiors of privately owned buildings of this period have been altered to fit new trends, with the dominance of the modernist style perceived to be part of Western culture. Furthermore, newly built structures were furnished following the modern trends of pure functionalism, hygiene, and light, with fragmented elements of the National style. The research assesses the importance of café culture in the formation of the Kaunas Phenomenon and proposes a project for revitalization and possible uses for the café and restaurant.