Crna Ovca Ice Cream Shop
Crna Ovca’s new store in Zagreb, features a charming and airy design with elements like a glass storefront, oak counter, terrazzo floors, and creative lighting, creating a visually appealing and functional space by Spatial Objectives.
This summer, Crna Ovca opened the doors of its first store in Zagreb, on Martićeva Street. The brand’s first location in Croatia spans 94 square meters and is conceived as a charming, unpretentious, and airy space for selling, serving, and enjoying ice cream.
The space is defined by a large glass storefront that opens onto the street. According to city guidelines, the original red color of the metal frames, part of architect Zlatko Neumann’s original design, was restored. This open nature of the space was used to highlight various zones through specific elements, such as the sales counter, bar seating, and wall-side bench seating, all enhanced by carefully considered design features and lighting.
The sales counter zone is defined by a perforated metal hanging element that features illuminated fabric illustrations with information about portions and flavors above the ice cream display cases. The lower portion of the counter is clad with undulating natural oak panels and topped with a white Corian surface. This makes the sales zone stand out as a strong volume, emphasizing its function and becoming the visual focus of the space.
Seating is organized in two key areas. Bar seating by the storefront that includes a long oak bar table on steel supports with integrated planters, Nardi bar stools, and custom pendant lights that emphasize this area. The second seating zone features wall-side benches with integrated planters clad in small-format tiles. Elements like rounded eco-leather and metal benches, wall planters, custom wall lights, and a handrail leading to the restroom contribute to the dynamic and playful ambiance.
The interior is based on natural and neutral materials, as well as plants, with a subtle and harmonious color palette. The walls of the counter and bench seating areas are accented with green-and-white ceramic tiles by Quintessenza Ceramiche, while the floors are clad in terrazzo-effect ceramic tiles in two tones by Sant’Agostino.
The design is inspired by Crna Ovca’s locations in Belgrade, particularly those on Kralja Petra Street and in Block 32, but with fresh details tailored to the new Zagreb outpost. The aim was to convey the spatial identity of the brand in a new way while preserving its recognizable, relaxed, and natural character.
Special attention was given to lighting—a combination of base ceiling lighting, custom pendant, and wall lamps creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that attracts passersby. Details such as the oak counter, metal elements, green-and-white tile patterns, terrazzo-effect floors, greenery, and lighting were carefully designed to make the space functional, visually appealing, and fully aligned with the brand’s philosophy.
Design: Spatial Objectives
Design Team: Borislava Ivanković, Strahinja Petrović
Photography: Miloš Martinović, Strahinja Petrović