Header: Yevhenii Avramenko
The Ukrainian brand Gunia Project has opened the doors to its new flagship home, situated on the ground floor of a late 19th-century building near the Golden Gate. Located where the old city of Kyiv once began, the space is a physical extension of the brand’s dedication to local culture. The project was led by Anastasiia Tempynska of Temp Project, who spent three months searching for a location that could hold both the brand’s expansive collections and its deep sense of history.
Preserving the soul of a 19th-century apartment
Working within a historic building brought a unique set of rules. The owners of the property view the interior as a piece of their own family history and required the design team to keep several original features. This included classic wooden doors, wall panels, decorative ceiling flourishes, and massive mahogany cabinets. Adding another layer to the story, some parts of the interior were left over from when the Embassy of the Republic of Panama occupied the rooms.
The design team had to figure out how to make these heavy, historic elements work for a modern retail brand. Instead of fighting against the dark wood and lack of natural light, they embraced the shadows. The result is a space that feels less like a typical shop and more like a private gallery or a lived-in apartment filled with memories.
A palette inspired by nature and folklore
The showroom is divided into distinct zones that guide visitors through the brand’s different worlds. At the entrance, a reception area welcomes guests before they move into the ceramics room to the right. Deeper into the layout, visitors find a children’s section, while dedicated halls house the clothing and jewellery lines. One of the most interesting spatial tricks is a hidden passage tucked inside one of the original mahogany wardrobes, which leads to a private VIP fitting room.
To brighten the mood against the heavy heritage woodwork, the designers chose a colour scheme rooted in the natural world. Soft pinks, pale blues, greens, and gentle beiges cover the walls and floors. These shades are pulled directly from the pastoral motifs found in Gunia Project’s own designs. The use of carpets and textile flooring adds a soft, quiet quality to the rooms, making the atmosphere feel like a lush, indoor garden.
Custom craft and modern Ukrainian furniture
While the historic cabinets remain the stars of the architectural shell, they have been updated for modern use. The old wooden shelves were pulled out and replaced with thin metal frames, glass, and built-in lights to better show off the products. Most of the other display stands are kept simple and minimal so they don’t distract from the items on sale.
New pieces were also commissioned specifically for the showroom. A custom table, chair, and a large mirror frame were carved from wood, nodding to traditional Ukrainian woodworking techniques. These sit alongside contemporary pieces from other local makers like Noom, Woo, and Cegla Studio. Mirrors are placed strategically throughout the halls, creating spots for visitors to take photos while reflecting the different textures of the room.
The new Gunia Project flagship is a rare example of how strict heritage constraints can actually lead to a more interesting result. Keeping the mahogany bones of the building and layering them with soft colours and modern Ukrainian furniture led the brand to create a home that feels old and entirely new at the same time. It’s a space that invites people to slow down and stay for a while, acting as a quiet sanctuary in the middle of a busy, historic city.
Project info
Design: Anastasiia Tempynska, Temp Project
Team: Kirill Khivrich, Luba Andreeva, Dana Artemenko
Client: Gunia Project | Instagram
Year: 2025
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Photo: Yevhenii Avramenko
