yinjispace

INTERIOR
Wiercinski-Studio
PHOTOGRAPHY
Oni Studio
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Black Crocodile Bar (Czarny Krokodyl) is located in the historic Betonhaus hall in Wilson Park in Poznań, Poland. The building was erected in 1911 as an exhibition pavilion for the East German Exhibition of Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, constructed entirely in reinforced concrete. In 2024, it underwent a comprehensive revitalisation and its interiors were adapted for commercial use. In one part of the building, the owners of the iconic Poznań wine bar Black Cat (Czarny Kot) opened their new venue.

The brutalist hall of Black Crocodile has a floor area of 130 m² and a ceiling height of 6 metres. Characteristic elements, such as the concrete ribbing of the ceiling and windows with original divisions, became the starting point for the functional layout and interior design. Adam Wierciński reinterpreted motifs known from early 20th century German restaurants, translating them into his own distinctive style and contemporary design language. The tall venues of that era were defined by decorative bars, wainscoting and grand chandeliers, which are also reflected in this project.

The most important central element of the space is the 13-metre bar, handcrafted from raw steel, solid oak and brown mirrors. It was positioned along the length of the hall to allow guests to enjoy the park view. The irregular divisions of its structure, which also serve as a decorative front, reference the window muntins framing the view behind the glass.

Taking advantage of the hall’s 6-metre height, two designed geometric chandeliers with 3-metre arms were suspended from the ceiling. Each features 24 dimmable bulbs that reflect and shimmer in the raw aluminium trays. The steel table lamps on the bar and the stainless steel wall lamps are original pieces by Adam from the wiercinski-objects collection. The lighting inside is warm and subdued, and combined with candles creates an exceptionally atmospheric ambience in the evening. Raw, textured walls contrast with an installation of fabrics made from Polish linen in various shades and weaves, which softens the geometric ceiling and gives the interior a subtly theatrical character.

Several dedicated and original elements hang on the walls, such as the "crocodile mirror", the rusted "windows" artwork by wiercinski-objects and the "contemporary trophy", which is a section of a wooden trunk set in a steel frame. This last element symbolically refers to Frederick William’s 1911 hunting trophy exhibition, which took place in the same building. Black Crocodile Bar is a distinctive, raw and contemporary interior that fits harmoniously into the context of its historic setting.

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