Concealed behind an 18th century Baroque façade in Strasbourg’s Place Kléber, the Café L’Aubette is a remarkable expression of the 1920s De Stijl movement. Designed by Theo van Doesburg, one of the movement’s founders and leading lights, the Aubette’s minimalist, geometric aesthetic was heavily influenced by the work of contemporary artists such as Piet Mondrian. In designing the café’s interiors, Van Doesburg sought to do more than simply place viewers before a painting; he wanted to envelop them in it.
The radical interiors of the Café l’Aubette were not appreciated by the café’s patrons. After less than a decade, the interior style was altered once again; it was not until the 1960s that restoration of Van Doesburg’s design was even considered. The ciné-dancing hall (shown in this post) was restored between 1985 and 1994 based on period photographs and architectural drawings; the rest of the interior followed later, with the emphasis being on conservation of the original materials wherever possible.
More info: https://www.archdaily.com/791507/ad-classics-cafe-laubette-strasbourg-theo-van-doesburg
Photo source
