Marks Coffee Roasters Cafe, Minsk, Belarus

Marks Coffee Roasters Cafe in Minsk

1 October 2026

Architecture: Anna Lazar Studio

Location: Minsk, Republic of Belarus

Photos: Vitalina Voroshkevich

Located in Minsk, Belarus, this roastery café by Anna Lazar was conceived as a place where the process of coffee production becomes part of the interior experience. Rather than separating the technical function of roasting from the public café environment, the project brings both together within one vivid, contemporary space. The result is an interior that feels energetic and memorable while remaining carefully balanced in terms of colour, material and proportion.

At the heart of the project is the professional coffee-roasting equipment, which is treated not simply as machinery but as an essential element of the spatial composition. Its presence makes the working process visible and gives visitors a direct connection to the product itself: coffee is not only served here, but also roasted on site. This functional core became one of the starting points for the concept and helped define the identity of the café as a true roastery rather than a conventional coffee shop.

The interior is distinguished by a strong use of colour and graphic rhythm. Ceramic tiles by the Italian brand 41zero42 form one of the project’s most recognisable visual elements. Their varied tones and modular arrangement create a layered surface that changes depending on the angle of view. The tile composition introduces movement and character without relying on decorative excess. It also gives the interior a distinctive tactile quality, contrasting with smoother and more neutral materials used elsewhere in the space.

The palette was developed to feel expressive but not chaotic. Warm timber, light surfaces and muted architectural backgrounds provide a calm base, allowing the coloured tilework, furniture and art to become more pronounced. The combination of these elements creates a contemporary European atmosphere with a slightly playful character. The design avoids a literal industrial language often associated with roasteries and instead offers a softer, more refined interpretation of the typology.

Furniture plays an important role in the project. Chairs by Delo Design were selected for their clear geometry, comfortable proportions and ability to work naturally within the café’s colour scheme. Their form is concise enough not to compete with the tilework, yet distinctive enough to contribute to the overall character of the room. Seating is arranged to support different patterns of use, from quick coffee breaks to longer meetings and informal gatherings.

Art was integrated into the interior from the beginning rather than added as an afterthought. Works by Elena Korshak introduce a more personal and emotional layer to the space. Their presence creates points of visual pause and adds depth to the café’s identity. The art, furniture, materials and equipment were considered together as one composition, allowing the interior to feel curated while still functioning as an active everyday environment.

The project also explores the contrast between craftsmanship and technology. The roasting equipment expresses precision, production and process, while the ceramic surfaces, timber details and artworks bring warmth and tactility. This dialogue between technical and sensory elements reflects the nature of coffee itself: a product that depends on exact processes, yet is ultimately experienced through aroma, taste and atmosphere.

Lighting was designed to support both the operational needs of the café and the desired mood. Rather than creating a uniformly bright commercial environment, the lighting emphasizes selected surfaces, seating areas and the roasting zone. This helps establish a visual hierarchy within the interior and makes the space feel more intimate, particularly during the evening hours.

The final interior is intentionally open and visually accessible. Visitors can understand the café almost immediately upon entering: where coffee is prepared, where roasting takes place, and where different seating zones are located. At the same time, the use of colour, art and material detail encourages a slower reading of the space. Small visual discoveries appear throughout the interior, giving the project a strong identity without compromising functionality.

For Anna Lazar Studio, the project became an opportunity to rethink how a roastery café can be perceived. Instead of focusing solely on an industrial aesthetic, the design combines production, hospitality, art and contemporary product design in one cohesive environment. The result is a space that is both functional and expressive, where the process of making coffee becomes part of the architecture and where visitors are invited to experience not only the product, but also the culture surrounding it.

Marks Coffee Roasters Cafe in Minsk, Belarus – Building Information

Architecture Firm: Anna Lazar Studio – https://www.lazarhanna.com/

Project: Marks Coffee Roasters / Roastery Café (Instagram @marks.coffee.roaster)
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Interior design: Anna Lazar (Instagram @anna_lazar_studio)
Ceramic tiles: 41zero42 (Instagram @41zero42)
Furniture: Delo Design Instagram @delodesign)
Art: Elena Korshak (Instagram @malicawool)
Styling: Tatiana Guzik (Instagram @tanya_guzik)

Photography: Vitalina Voroshkevich (Instagram @vitalina.ph)

Marks Coffee Roasters Cafe in Minsk, Belarus images / information received 011026

Location: Minsk, Belarus.