Le Dorian: Geneva’s Legendary Brasserie Shows How to Change Everything by Changing Nothing.

Geneva’s Le Dorian has nailed the art of renovation without destruction. Just a stone’s throw from the Grand Théâtre, this 1950s brasserie got a fresh lease on life under chef Florian Le Bouhec—and the design story behind it is pure gold.

The story goes that the Le Dorian was originally gifted to Mademoiselle Dorian, a theatre actress, by her wealthy admirer. Talk about a romantic beginning. That theatrical DNA still runs through the place, and Ykra’s design duo Youri Kravtchenko and Marion Vergne knew better than to mess with a good thing.

Their challenge was to change everything without changing anything. Sounds impossible, right? Not when you’re this clever.

A Masterclass in Subtleties and Intention: Sando Burger Bar by Sapid Studio.

In this Japanese inspired burger bar in Geneva, Sapid Studio reference the concept of “boro boro'', a process of utilising materials that have been repaired or stitched back together to create a multi-layered patchwork effect.

The team kept every original wall, fancy ceiling detail, and bit of old-school timber panelling exactly where it belonged. Instead of ripping things out, they played a smart game of additions and swaps. A shiny new professional kitchen went in behind the scenes while the dining room got the real showstopper treatment.

The conservatory is where things get seriously good. Black carpet meets white floor, creating the perfect stage for some killer artwork. Pedro Sassi (aka Varias Tatu) sketched drawings of food, plates, and even Béchamel—that’s the owner’s dog—then printed them onto wool against the black backdrop.

Artist Mathilde Herrero took the same images and reimagined them as mosaics on the white surfaces. Her work crawls up the walls too, with etched lines that riff on the tattoo artist’s style while playing nice with the room’s bones. It’s this back-and-forth between two artists that makes the space sing.

What Dreams are Made of: Film Noir Studio in Geneva by Leopold Banchini Architects & Giona Bierens de Haan.

Leopold Banchini Architects and Giona Bierens de Haan looked to the era-defining film noir genre to create an inspired take on a post-production studio in Geneva.

The bar is where they really let loose. A wild rocaille-inspired structure that’s deliberately over-the-top gets paired with Axel Chay’s chrome doughnut lamps from Marseille. If it sounds crazy, that’s because it is, but it absolutely works!

At Le Dorian, every move feels intentional, rooted in the building’s story but not trapped by it. Another proof that successful renovations don’t have to impose new personalities—they just have to know how to help the existing soul shine brighter.

Respect.

A Modernist Boudoir: Locke am Platz in Zürich by Sella Concept.

Located in Enge, London-based Sella Concept took inspiration from the city, reflecting the cultural identity of Zurich through the distinctive design language.

[Images courtesy of Ykra Architects. Photography by Alicia Dubuis.]