studio 502 revives 20th-century villa tončić in croatia as heritage-rooted restaurant

historic secessionist villa in split welcomes mokosh restaurant

 

Studio 502 transforms Villa Tončić, a protected Secessionist villa in Split, Croatia, into Mokosh Restaurant, balancing heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality design. Originally designed by architect Kamil Tončić in the early 20th century, the villa served as a summer residence before later adaptations diminished its original spirit. Studio 502 approached the project through minimal, fully reversible interventions, preserving wood panelling, murals, ceiling detailing, and lighting fixtures. Later alterations that obscured historic features were carefully removed, and damaged areas were reconstructed in collaboration with local artisans to reimagine the villa for vibrant public use.

image by Franjo Matkovic

 

 

Studio 502 balances heritage and contemporary design

 

Mokosh Restaurant at Villa Tončić reconnects Split’s community with an important architectural legacy, demonstrating that sensitive adaptive reuse can restore cultural value while creating vibrant contemporary spaces. Inside, new bespoke furnishings, contemporary paintings, and subtle material updates refresh the Central Salon, while the Green Salon has been reimagined with contemporary tiling, custom joinery, and mirrors referencing Secessionist geometry. The team at Studio 502 has also integrated a discreet bar within the footprint of the original kitchen.

 

Material selections throughout emphasize regional sourcing and sustainability. Local artisans have crafted bespoke woodwork and rattan radiator covers, while vintage garden furniture has been restored and reused to minimize waste. Further, the villa’s thick masonry walls and modest openings continue to regulate interior climate passively.

the Central Salon preserves original panelling, complemented by new furnishings | image by Dusko Vlaovic

preserved and reconstructed mural following damage from later wood panelling | image by Franjo Matkovic

detail of the original ceiling and historic lighting fixtures | image by Franjo Matkovic

Green Salon reinterprets Secessionist geometry through contemporary materials | image by Dusko Vlaovic

discreet bar within the Green Salon | image by Franjo Matkovic

geometric tiles and muted green finishes | image by Franjo Matkovic

contemporary tiling reinforces the geometric rhythm in the Green Salon | image by Franjo Matkovic

 

 

the original winter garden revitalized as a light-filled nook overlooking the garden | image by Dusko Vlaovic

outdoor bar integrated within the preserved garden layout | image by Dusko Vlaovic

 

project info:

 

name: Mokosh Restaurant at Villa Tončić
architect: Andrea Yateem, Jovana Boskovic / Studio 502

location: Split, Croatia

 

 

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