ITALIAN EDITION No2
location Kharkiv (Ukraine) / area 3,875 ft² / year 2018 /
budget 435 000$ / duration 5.5 month
budget 435 000$ / duration 5.5 month
ABOUT
"Italian Edition No.2" is a flagship project of First Line Group, located in the historic center of Kharkiv on Sumska Street, within the boutique Hotel 19. The restaurant was conceived as more than a dining venue — it became an urban landmark, blending contemporary design with the architectural heritage of the city. Its open, light-filled interior and carefully orchestrated spatial planning reflect a balance between functionality and atmosphere, making it a dynamic setting equally suited for morning gatherings and evening social life.
In creating this space, special attention was given to its integration into the urban fabric: the restaurant serves both as a cultural destination for locals and as an organic extension of the hotel. The project demonstrates how thoughtful construction and design can transform a historic building into a modern cultural touchpoint, reinforcing Kharkiv’s image as a city open to new ideas while respecting its architectural past.
In creating this space, special attention was given to its integration into the urban fabric: the restaurant serves both as a cultural destination for locals and as an organic extension of the hotel. The project demonstrates how thoughtful construction and design can transform a historic building into a modern cultural touchpoint, reinforcing Kharkiv’s image as a city open to new ideas while respecting its architectural past.
CONSTRUCTION
The premises of the “Italian Edition No.2” restaurant had once been a dark lounge space called “Abazhur.” My task was to transform this enclosed basement hall into a bright, open, and contemporary restaurant that would become part of the city’s cultural fabric. As the Technical Director of First Line Group, I took full responsibility for the process: from planning and technical design to daily on-site supervision. I coordinated contractors, managed the sequence of works, and oversaw structural reinforcement and the implementation of engineering systems to ensure every detail was executed flawlessly. In the end, a space that once felt dark and unsuitable was reimagined as a landmark restaurant, combining functionality with modern aesthetics.
The main challenge was that the space was located in a basement without windows. To bring in natural daylight, the floor level was lowered by 1.5 meters and light wells — horizontal windows in the foundation — were created by extending the building’s base outward. This required highly complex work to reinforce the load-bearing columns supporting the entire hotel structure: installing metal casings, involving engineering institutes for calculations, and gradually strengthening the foundations by 20 cm increments over several weeks. As a result, the ceilings were raised, and two dark halls were combined into one spacious and light-filled interior.
The project also included the creation of a separate secret bar — an autonomous space with its own acoustics, soundproofing, and waterproofing. At the same time, restoration work was carried out on the brick vaulted ceilings dating back to World War II. For the bar counter, restrooms, and the open pizza-oven area, custom concrete furniture and finishes were used, adding character and boldness to the space.
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Special attention in the project was given to integrating a wood-fired pizza oven in the center of the dining hall. This was not a decorative element, but a fully functional oven operating exclusively on natural firewood — without any gas or alternative energy sources. Its operation required a complex system of water filtration and spark arresters, integrated into the restaurant’s ventilation. This solution made it possible to safely bring open fire into the hall while turning the cooking process into a performance: guests could watch the pizzaiolo at work, with the kitchen becoming a key part of the atmosphere.
Project Execution Overview — “Italian Edition No.2”
• Full demolition of the previous restaurant and all engineering systems.
• Restoration of structural elements: ceilings, walls, and columns.
• Reinforcement of load-bearing columns with certified engineering calculations.
• Lowering the floor level by 1.5 meters to increase ceiling height.
• Design and installation of window “light wells” that brought natural daylight into the basement and illuminated the entire restaurant space.
• Custom design, production, and installation of concrete structures (bar counter, wall finishes, restrooms, and the open pizza oven area).
• Installation of a septic system with pump-driven water transfer to the upper level.
• Full scope of engineering works: electrical systems, plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning.
• Implementation of a professional lighting system with a focus on both functionality and atmosphere.
• Design, production, and supply of furniture: part sourced from Italian manufacturers, part produced locally by custom order.
• Construction of a separate secret bar with studio-grade soundproofing (critical due to the hotel located directly above), as well as enhanced acoustic and waterproofing systems.
• Full demolition of the previous restaurant and all engineering systems.
• Restoration of structural elements: ceilings, walls, and columns.
• Reinforcement of load-bearing columns with certified engineering calculations.
• Lowering the floor level by 1.5 meters to increase ceiling height.
• Design and installation of window “light wells” that brought natural daylight into the basement and illuminated the entire restaurant space.
• Custom design, production, and installation of concrete structures (bar counter, wall finishes, restrooms, and the open pizza oven area).
• Installation of a septic system with pump-driven water transfer to the upper level.
• Full scope of engineering works: electrical systems, plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning.
• Implementation of a professional lighting system with a focus on both functionality and atmosphere.
• Design, production, and supply of furniture: part sourced from Italian manufacturers, part produced locally by custom order.
• Construction of a separate secret bar with studio-grade soundproofing (critical due to the hotel located directly above), as well as enhanced acoustic and waterproofing systems.
From an early age, I’ve had the ability to adapt quickly to complex situations and find solutions where others see only dead ends. This trait has become my key tool in managing large-scale projects: from overcoming construction challenges to navigating documentation and regulatory approvals. I solve problems fast — to keep moving forward — and thoroughly — so there’s never a need to revisit them.
My work is about complete transformation. I take the keys to an abandoned, empty space and leave only when the tables are set, the plates are ready, and the manager receives the symbolic new keys tied with a ribbon. It’s a journey from chaos to structure, from a bare framework to a space that operates as a seamless mechanism. And it’s this responsibility for the final result that defines me and my work.
My work is about complete transformation. I take the keys to an abandoned, empty space and leave only when the tables are set, the plates are ready, and the manager receives the symbolic new keys tied with a ribbon. It’s a journey from chaos to structure, from a bare framework to a space that operates as a seamless mechanism. And it’s this responsibility for the final result that defines me and my work.
artur.mishuk@gmail.com
