Studio 502 Shows How Heritage and Modernity Can Co-Exist Without Compromise

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a lively and cosy restaurant design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Studio 502.

Studio 502 was commissioned to reimagine Villa Tončić, a protected 1920s Secessionist villa in Split, as a contemporary dining destination. Bound by preservation rules, the studio retained the villa’s historic fabric, introducing subtle interventions to enhance the atmosphere and improve the flow. Subtle interventions defined the villa’s character without disruption. Outdoor furniture found on-site was restored and reintegrated. Working within a modest budget, the team focused on high-impact gestures. The result is an inviting, layered space that honours the building’s legacy while meeting the needs of a modern, all-day restaurant, welcoming guests year-round and restoring its civic and cultural relevance.

What was the client’s brief?

The client wanted a restaurant that felt cosy and lively — an inviting, comfortable atmosphere that would also be an experience for guests. With a limited budget and sustainability in mind, we reused much of the furniture found on site and worked with the villa’s existing conditions rather than replacing them.

What inspired the design of the project?

Kamil Tončić, a celebrated Secessionist architect in Split, built the villa. His legacy set the tone: most spaces were preserved and enhanced, while two new interventions — the Green Salon and the bar — were designed as contemporary additions. We were inspired by the way Tončić originally engaged young artists from the School of Applied Arts, which led us to collaborate with Croatian artist Jelena Bando to reinterpret the villa’s spirit in a modern context.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The building is listed, so heavy interventions were impossible. Combined with budget restraints, this meant working around existing finishes; instead, we had to turn those limitations into part of the design language.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Working with restoration specialist Giuseppe “Pepi” Sava, who had been involved in the villa’s earlier restoration, was a highlight. He introduced us to original wall paintings and old techniques, giving us a deeper connection to the building’s craft. Revitalising the garden was another — repainting and reusing original outdoor furniture, paired with new textiles, to extend the dining experience outdoors.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Because the project shows how heritage and modernity can co-exist without compromise. SBID offers a platform to share that approach with an international design community.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

It has reinforced Studio 502’s ability to work with heritage responsibly while delivering expressive hospitality spaces. The recognition strengthens our international positioning and motivates our team.

Questions answered by Andrea Yateem, Founder & Lead Designer at Studio 502.