A landmark in Cluj, the former Matia Corvin Pharmacy in Palatul Széki—one of the four late-19th-century buildings marking the entrance to the city center—is now home to Laboratorium. The space brings together the quiet elegance of neo-Gothic architecture and a restrained, expressive contemporary design.

The building dates back to 1893 and was designed by architect Pecz Samu, also known for Budapest’s Central Market Hall and his eclectic libraries with Gothic influences. It was commissioned by Miklós Széki, a pharmacist, professor, and forward-thinking entrepreneur who lived in the apartment above the pharmacy, connected by a spiral metal staircase.

Much of the original solid wood furniture, decorated with Gothic arches, fleurons, and delicate stained glass, was crafted at the time by the Cluj cabinetmaker B. Bak Lajos. These pieces were preserved in their original form and carefully restored during the conversion.

The restoration and architectural coordination were led by the EktraArhitectura team—Tulogdy László, Ciupe Marius, and Alb Cristina. Wood restoration was handled by Unicom under the guidance of restorer Balla Csaba, while the decorative painting was revived by Mednyánszky Zsolt, Mednyánszky Anna-Mária, Csüdöm Eszter, Szőcs János, and Szántó Tamás. The process was less about decoration and more about cultural recovery.

The new function, a specialty coffee shop, was designed to respect the space rather than overpower it. Fain Design proposed a light, uncluttered interior language where brushed metal, fluid forms, and minimalist surfaces quietly highlight the carved woodwork.

Two sculptural coffee bars in the main room, made of curved stainless steel, catch the natural light coming through the pointed arched windows. Contemporary lighting, metal accents, and modular furniture create contrast without competing with the historical details.

Original elements—from cabinets with Gothic doors and drawers labeled with medicinal plants to stained glass and interior columns—were carefully restored. The visual identity, created by The Tailor, avoids historical clichés and instead emphasizes the experimental spirit of the space.

The seating area, set in what used to be the laboratory room, keeps its tall skylights. The arched walls reveal the original tones of the vaulted ceilings through a carefully reconstructed layer of paint. Opaline red lighting adds a subtle scenographic touch, echoing the mural paintings and stained glass.

Laboratorium is more than a place to have coffee. It is a gesture of continuity—one that acknowledges the past without freezing it in time, and brings it back to life through contemporary use, carefully sourced coffees, curated products, and an atmosphere that invites conversation, observation, and unhurried time.