A couple, yet distinct. Both stylish, each with its own character. Perfect complements that took time to come together. We're talking about Tuval, a new event venue that opened recently right next to the restaurant Tablo.

"Tablo" means art in Turkish, explains Pinar and Yilmaz Dogan, owners of this acclaimed Turkish restaurant near the Aalto Theatre, which has been welcoming discerning diners since 2002. Tuval – the canvas – was realized in partnership with hospitality specialists Soda Group and adds a 75–80-person event space to the location. When the neighboring hair salon closed, the owners commissioned the Bochum-based architecture firm, renowned for hospitality design, to transform the space into a flexible, refined venue. The brief was clear: understated aesthetics paired with premium materials, fully functional, and independent in operation. The program included a fully equipped kitchen, restrooms, a compact buffet area, and a 125 m² event hall. From the raw shell stage – with exposed brick and soaring ceilings – the vision emerged: a generous loft-like atmosphere with an inviting, familiar quality. The design balances fire and acoustic requirements with tactile, visually compelling materials. Cleaned and sealed brick walls interact with concrete pillars and finished, partially painted surfaces. Beneath the acoustic ceiling, dimmable ring lights cast a modern chandelier-like glow across the room. The event space features solid wood parquet; adjoining areas showcase geometric porcelain stoneware tiles whose random arrangement creates a distinctive graphic composition. A striking element is the bar, clad in Italian green tiles. Soda Group designed most of the custom furniture, with green appearing throughout – in curtains, upholstered leather seating, and table styling. The result is an elegantly appointed event space. Advanced technical integration – including a large mobile screen and in-ceiling controllable speakers – ensures seamless use as a conference venue as well.

www.tuval-eventspace.de
www.soda-group.com

Photography:
Christian Deutscher
www.deutscher-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|25)