How to Blend Competitive Social Dining with Captivating Interior Design with Florentina

When we first began designing Kontraloop, the goal was simple, to create a space that felt alive, social and unmistakably rooted in Split’s culture.

We wanted more than just a games venue or a restaurant. We imagined a destination where people of all ages could gather, play, dine and connect, a place that reflected the city’s energy while introducing something new and contemporary.

Kontraloop, which opened in November 2025, became that vision. Situated within City Center one Split, it occupies a 1,500-square-metre space that had to integrate seamlessly into the mall’s ecosystem while standing out as a destination in its own right.

Our approach was guided by understanding Split, its architecture, lifestyle and social habits, and translating that understanding into an environment that encourages interaction, friendly competition, spectatorship and shared experiences.

The Original Vision

From the start, we wanted Kontraloop to go beyond a typical entertainment concept. The aim was to design a multi-generational social hub where creativity, quality experiences and community intersect. It was important that the venue felt familiar enough for locals to feel at home, yet fresh enough to spark curiosity and invite exploration.

The concept was grounded in communal experiences. I focused on how people gather, eat and spend time together in Split. The design needed to support both active participants and those who prefer to spectate, creating a flow that encouraged lingering, interaction and a natural rhythm of energy throughout the space.

Designing for Split

Split has a unique character that informed every aspect of my design. The café culture is central to everyday life, social dining habits are strong and the city’s historic architecture, Roman arches, old pavements, amphitheatre-style forms, gives the city its distinctive rhythm.

I wanted Kontraloop to feel like a continuation of the city rather than an imposition on it. I reinterpreted these familiar cues through a contemporary lens: arches became bold graphic forms, historic paving inspired porcelain-tiled flooring with bold-coloured grout, and tiered seating invited people to watch, play or gather in comfort. By grounding the design in Split’s identity, the space feels local and culturally connected.

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Community

Community was at the heart of every design decision. I considered how groups of friends, families and visitors interact in Split’s streets, squares and cafés, and translated that into spatial layouts that encourage connection. Communal tables, lounge seating around games and clusters of activities were all designed to foster interaction while leaving room for individual moments.

I also wanted to highlight friendly competition. Whether guests are actively playing darts, bowling or arcade games, or simply spectating, the design allows everyone to feel part of the action.

Games and Food

In Kontraloop, games and dining are inseparable. Classic games like bowling, darts and arcade machines provide nostalgia and comfort, but the way they are presented reimagines them for a modern social environment. Games are layered with contemporary design, subtle technology and opportunities for spectating, making them accessible and fun for all ages.

The food and drink experience mirrors this approach. Menus are designed for sharing, celebrations and group dining, incorporating local wines, rakia and products from regional partners. Food supports the social energy of the space, encouraging people to linger, converse and connect while enjoying the playful environment.

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Designing for Flow

Flow was critical in shaping the visitor experience. We wanted every guest to explore naturally, moving from one zone to another while discovering new moments along the way. We designed clear signage to placemake the zones and also used decorative lighting in familiar playful forms to highlight key anchors in the space.

Guests can wander to watch a game, settle in for a meal, or join a celebration, all without disruption. The space guides movement in a way that feels intuitive, allowing social energy to grow organically.

The bar and dining

The bar and dining area is the energetic heart of Kontraloop. It supports fast-paced socialising, slower dining, live music, DJs, comedians and sports screenings making it an all rounder, transitioning throughout the day. I designed the shutter-inspired bar gantry to reference Split’s architectural language while supporting flexibility for day-to-night transformation. Ribbon signage and playful graphic elements add energy and guide interaction, while bright backdrops, adaptable curtains (in the secondary bar) and a cohesive palette of materials create spaces that are vibrant yet comfortable.

The design accommodates multiple layers of activity at once, allowing visitors to eat, play, watch or celebrate without feeling interrupted. Every detail, from the faux-leather banquettes to neon seat pads and graphic poufs, supports comfort, durability and visual interest.

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Food and Beverage as Social Energy

For me, food and beverage are tools for building connection. The menu was crafted to encourage sharing, conversation and lingering. High-quality, home-made elements and carefully sourced regional products create a sense of place and reinforce local identity.

Drinks and dining are fully integrated with the games and social zones, enhancing the energy of the space. The combination of classic dishes, signature cocktails, local wines and Rakia turns eating and drinking into a social, participatory experience.

Inspiration and Problem Solving

Designing the venue meant reimagining familiar architectural cues, pavements, arches and seating in a bold, modern way that supported engagement and inclusion. Every choice, from material selection to zoning, from lighting to activity clusters, was guided by the idea of creating a social, immersive environment.

Kontraloop now thrives as a space that encourages exploration, celebrates local culture, fosters connection and blends dining, play and design into a seamless experience. It is rooted in Split, yet forward-looking, supporting sustained footfall, repeat visits and shared memories across generations.

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