Dezeen Magazine

FanFood restaurant by Mast

Moscow's FanFood offers football supporters a place to grab a post-match pizza

A goalkeeper-themed mural and football kit-coloured fixtures appear inside this pizza restaurant, which architecture studio Mast has created near Dynamo Moscow's stadium in the Russian capital.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

Football-inspired decor details have been incorporated throughout FanFood in a nod to Moscow's VTB Arena – a local landmark that studio Mast felt it "couldn't ignore" during the pizzeria's design process.

"Office workers from neighbouring buildings, football or music fans will come here after matches or concerts, which are constantly held at the stadium," explained architects Vladislav Gaiduk and Vasily Korotkov, who head up the studio.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

The main feature of FanFood is a ceramic mural that depicts professional Soviet football player Lev Yashin, who played for Dynamo Moscow for 20 years, leaping in the air during a match to catch a ball.

Widely considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Yashin is the only goalie in history to have received the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

The mural, which has been completed in the style of paintings by 20th-century Soviet artist Aleksandr Deyneka, appears on a rear wall of the restaurant, at the end of a curving walkway.

It's lined with a sequence of arched white frames, in between which are nestled simple timber tables and chairs where customers can sit and enjoy their food while overlooking the adjacent Petrovsky park.

Lighting is provided by black tubular pendant lamps that are suspended overhead.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

Working with a restricted project budget, the studio has completed the rest of the space with a selection of low-cost materials.

Timber beams line the back of the drinks area and its service bar, while rough blocks of red stone have been used to pave the floor.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

Concrete has been used to cover the surrounding walls and to form the board-marked prep counter in the open kitchen.

"We have minimised the number of finishing materials so that the space will be perceived as a whole," added Korotkov.

A handful of features, like the doors, counter surfacetops and exposed pipes in the ceiling, have been painted cobalt blue – the same colour as the kit and logo of Dynamo Moscow.

FanFood restaurant by Mast near Dynamo Moscow's stadium

Enthusiasm for football reached fever pitch last year in Russia as it hosted the 2018 World Cup.

The games were held in 12 different venues across the country – among them were the Kazan Arena, which was designed by Populous to resemble a waterlily when viewed from above, and the Spartak Stadium, which is clad in hundreds of diamond-shaped plates.

Photography is by Polina Poludkina.

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FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast
FanFood restaurant by Mast