The interplay of light and texture is captured through a large arched window, casting a soft glow on a burgundy built-in bench. The polished, sculptural coffee bars sit centrally, their metallic curves contrasting with the rigid, carved geometry of the dark wood paneling and the clean, off-white flooring.

Laboratorium: A Neo-Gothic Pharmacy Finds New Life as a Contemporary Coffee Shop in Cluj-Napoca

Words by Eric David

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Housed within a historic apothecary in a Gothic Revival landmark in Cluj-Napoca, Romania's second-largest city, Laboratorium is a specialty coffee shop that offers a compelling model for the adaptive reuse of heritage interiors. Renovated by local practices EktraArhitectura and Fain Design, the project demonstrates how historically charged interiors can be reactivated through carefully calibrated contemporary insertions that neither mimic nor overshadow the original architecture.

Classified as a historic monument, the Széki Palace is regarded as one of Cluj-Napoca’s most significant buildings. Completed in 1893 by influential Hungarian architect Pecz Samu, the Neo-Gothic structure was commissioned by Miklós Széki, one of the most prominent pharmacists of his time, who relocated his pharmacy to the building’s ground floor while residing in the apartments above. Known originally as the Matia Corvin Pharmacy, the space was conceived as both a retail and production environment, with laboratories and storage areas located in the basement. Over the decades, it became a fixture of the city’s commercial and cultural life, retaining much of its original interior fabric despite successive changes in both name and ownership throughout the 20th century.

A top-down view focuses on the interplay of color and material, showing two overlapping, circular pedestal tables in a rich, high-gloss burgundy. The arrangement features a brushed-metal espresso cup and a glass of water, accompanied by a clean-lined information card. The composition is a study in Japandi-influenced minimalism within a historic European context.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A corner view features a deep burgundy built-in bench nestled beneath a towering arched window. Two sculptural, glossy plum-colored pedestal tables add a minimalist pop of color, standing in stark, intentional contrast to the complex textures of the hand-carved apothecary cabinetry and the cool, brushed-metal surface of the service island.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A symmetrical view showcases the striking contrast between ornate Neo-Gothic wooden cabinetry and avant-garde stainless steel service islands. The undulating, liquid-like forms of the metal bars reflect the warm ambient light, bridging the gap between the historic "Receptura" pharmacy pharmacy origins and a sterile, contemporary laboratory aesthetic.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A close-up of the architectural crown above the main portal, featuring an original integrated clock and the hand-painted "Laboratorium" banner. The warm uplighting accentuates the intricate Gothic tracery and the soft patina of the wood, anchoring the cafe’s identity in its authentic 19th-century pharmaceutical roots while maintaining a clean, curated atmosphere.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

The building’s architectural ambition extended to its craft-rich interiors, where vaulted ceilings and pointed arches were paired with hand-carved Neo-Gothic wooden cabinets crafted by renowned cabinetmaker B. Bak Lajos. Meticulously refurbished with the support of heritage specialists, these elements continue to remain central to the spatial experience. Fain Design’s interventions are deliberately restrained, relying on minimalist insertions and discreet lighting to frame the historic envelope without ever competing for attention. At the same time, the space avoids feeling static or museum-like, thanks to a clearly contemporary design language that draws on the shared spirit of experimentation inherent to both pharmaceutical practices and today’s specialty coffee establishments.

The most striking of these contemporary gestures are the two sculptural coffee bar counters positioned in the main room. Crafted from stainless steel, their undulating forms and reflective surfaces establish a subtle contrast with the density of the carved timber cabinetry along with the disciplined geometry of the vaulted ceilings soaring above. A minimalist window bench finished in a red lacquer, paired with matching side tables, introduces a note of colour and informality while reinforcing the dialogue between old and new.

The cafe's architectural grandeur is emphasized by the ribbed vaulting and decorative friezes of the ceiling. Below, the fluid, serpentine silhouette of the stainless steel counter anchors the space, while professional-grade espresso equipment sits atop, reinforcing the "laboratory" theme within a cathedral-like atmosphere of historic preservation.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A wide-angle shot reveals the expansive vaulted ceilings and intricate woodwork of the cafe. Modern track lighting cuts through the air, illuminating the juxtaposition of deep-grained oak heritage and high-shine metallic surfaces. The composition highlights a seamless transition from traditional craftsmanship to sleek, modular coffee-station design.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

Looking upward, the image captures the delicate interplay between the original vaulted ceiling’s geometric frescoes and a modern, linear black lighting track. The architectural tension is palpable as the sharp, clinical glow of the LEDs illuminates the warm wood of a pointed-arch window, emphasizing the "laboratory" theme within a sacred, historic volume.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

This intimate vignette highlights a cozy window nook, featuring a deep plum-colored bench and matching minimalist pedestal tables. The rich, glossy finish of the modern furniture provides a pop of contemporary color against the weathered textures of the tall, Neo-Gothic wooden shutters and intricate moldings.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A detailed close-up focuses on the "Receptura" portal, where original apothecary drawers and shelving remain. The satin-finish stainless steel bar in the foreground acts as a mirror to the history surrounding it, symbolizing the cafe’s design philosophy: an alchemical blend of old-world medicine and modern coffee culture.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A medium shot captures the "Receptura" station, where modern coffee science meets history. Apothecary-style bottles sit atop the stainless steel bar in the foreground, while a vibrant red neon tube light glows in the background, casting a futuristic pulse through the traditional wooden arches and highlighting the rhythmic rows of original medicine drawers.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A high-angle detail of the stainless steel workstation highlights the precision of the design. Dropper bottles and a built-in metal pitcher rinser are arranged with clinical order on the matte metallic surface. In the soft-focus background, the repetitive geometry of the historic wooden drawer fronts provides a warm, organic counterpoint to the sterile, modern equipment.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

The bustling energy of the space is captured through the motion blur of a barista in a grey lab coat moving between the fluid, sculptural stainless steel bars. In the background, the intricate 19th-century Neo-Gothic wooden cabinetry remains the silent protagonist, its dark, carved surfaces illuminated by hidden ambient lighting that highlights the historic "Receptura" portal.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A narrow, high-ceilinged space features sand-textured walls and a long, theatrical grey curtain that adds a sense of soft minimalism. Linear LED tracks overhead lead the eye toward a distant arched window, while white speckled café tables and deep burgundy chairs create a rhythmic, sophisticated seating arrangement within the warm, monochromatic volume.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

Referencing the colour of ripe coffee cherries, red accents also punctuate the adjacent seating area which features red chairs, planters, and linear wall sconces. Occupying what was once the pharmacy’s laboratory, although this space may be somewhat more restrained in ornamentation, its tall proportions lend it a quiet sense of generosity. Sparingly furnished with bench-like banquettes and pared-back tables and chairs, the space is made all the more welcoming and warmer by the re-emergence of original terracotta tones on the walls, which add depth without resorting to decorative excess.

By balancing restoration with clear contemporary contrasts, Laboratorium demonstrates how historic interiors can be thoughtfully adapted for new uses without effacing their past or diluting their character, providing a clear and compelling example of how heritage buildings can continue to be relevant within a busy urban environment.

This perspective highlights the transition between the café's zones, anchored by two glowing red vertical light fixtures that resemble scientific tubes. To the right, a massive, cylindrical stainless steel portal stands like a futuristic relic, contrasting with the organic presence of a large Bird of Paradise plant and the soft, upholstered bench seating.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

Framed by a massive, rounded stainless steel doorway, the view looks back toward the sun-drenched entrance. A large biophilic element on the left softens the industrial metal, while the rhythmic pattern of the original pointed-arch windows provides a dramatic backdrop to the minimal, light-filled interior.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

The interplay of light and texture is captured through a large arched window, casting a soft glow on a burgundy built-in bench. The polished, sculptural coffee bars sit centrally, their metallic curves contrasting with the rigid, carved geometry of the dark wood paneling and the clean, off-white flooring.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

A high-angle close-up captures a moment of sensory precision. An amber glass carafe and a small ceramic cup of dark coffee sit on a white terrazzo-style tabletop. Beside them, a minimalist tasting card with a paperclip details the coffee's origin, reflecting the café’s Neo-Vernacular philosophy of treating coffee with pharmaceutical-level care.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

An evocative detail shot of the café's wooden window frame reveals a reflection of a modern, grid-like building façade across the street. Small, white vinyl lettering on the glass reads, "Note no. 0: in the experimenting phase. Not really open yet," perfectly capturing the brand's self-aware, laboratory-inspired identity and its dialogue with the urban environment.

Photography by Stefi Hopirtean.

Laboratorium: A Neo-Gothic Pharmacy Finds New Life as a Contemporary Coffee Shop in Cluj-Napoca