In 2025, Polaris Lighting supplied the lighting for the renovated Graffiti Café 2.0 in Varna – a project in which light plays a central role in revealing the architecture and shaping the atmosphere.
Located within Graffit Gallery Hotel at 65 Knyaz Boris I Boulevard, the venue is designed to accompany its guests throughout the day – from the first morning coffee to the final evening cocktail. The interior combines warm timber, dark surfaces, abundant greenery, soft seating and large windows facing the city. The lighting brings these different elements together within one coherent and recognisable visual environment.
Lighting that follows the architecture
The most distinctive architectural element inside Graffiti Café is its sculptural timber ceiling. Rows of wooden slats flow across the space like waves, changing direction and creating a strong sense of movement. The lighting therefore had to reveal this complex geometry without competing with it or interrupting the clarity of the composition.
Modern black magnetic tracks and precisely directed spotlights were selected for the project. Their dark finish blends naturally with the black structural lines of the ceiling, while the light is aimed towards the timber surfaces, tables, plants and selected interior details. The technical components remain discreet, allowing the architecture and materials to take visual priority.
The magnetic system also provides valuable flexibility. Individual lighting modules can be repositioned or redirected if the table layout changes or new focal points are required. This is particularly useful in a dynamic hospitality venue that transitions from a relaxed daytime setting to a more expressive evening atmosphere.
Balancing function and atmosphere
Lighting in a café and bar must do more than provide sufficient visibility. It needs to make the tables comfortable, present food and drinks attractively, support orientation and create the right mood. At Graffiti Café, these requirements are addressed through a layered combination of general, directional and decorative light.
Above one of the main areas, an expressive composition of illuminated spheres in different sizes creates a memorable focal point. Its soft, diffused glow provides a visual contrast to the precise black lines and directional spotlights. The installation adds warmth to the darker interior and gives this part of the venue its own distinctive identity.
During the day, the large windows bring generous natural light into the café and maintain a strong connection with the surrounding city. Artificial lighting supports the deeper areas of the interior and gradually becomes dominant after dark. Focused light on the timber, textured walls and greenery creates depth and keeps the space visually engaging from different viewpoints.
Lighting that respects the character of the venue
The result is a lighting environment in which technology does not visually dominate. The black tracks become part of the ceiling’s graphic structure, the spotlights guide the eye and the decorative luminaires introduce softness and personality. Every layer has a clear purpose, yet all of them work together as part of the overall interior composition.
The Graffiti Café project demonstrates how carefully selected professional lighting can highlight architecture while supporting the way a hospitality space is used. Through the supplied solutions, Polaris Lighting contributes to a welcoming, artistic and functional urban environment with a strong and recognisable character.
