Liquidium Cocktail Laboratory by OMI

In the heart of Tel Aviv’s rapidly evolving industrial district, the Liquidium Cocktail Laboratory, designed by OMI Studio, emerges as a sophisticated blend of minimalism, functionality, and modern elegance. Situated within a modest 1950s-era building, this 250 m² space is far more than a traditional factory—it’s a highly curated cocktail production laboratory that crafts premium raw materials for mixology enthusiasts and professionals alike.

A Vision of Industrial Elegance

Architects Tom Szwec and Michal Naftali of OMI were tasked with reimagining a utilitarian structure into a sleek, design-forward cocktail lab and tasting space. The design centers on principles of clarity, restraint, and minimalist aesthetics, making it a physical representation of precision and craft. A refined palette of materials—stainless steel, exposed concrete, and natural wood—was chosen to articulate different zones of activity while ensuring visual cohesion and operational efficiency.

A Functional Layout for Creative Alchemy

Liquidium’s design journey starts at the entrance and flows logically through to the final product display in the on-site store. At the heart of the layout lies the central laboratory, a gleaming stainless-steel island that acts as both a stage and a workspace for experimentation and creation. The open-plan design not only enables seamless workflow but also creates a visual spectacle where visitors and staff can observe the transformation of ingredients into high-end cocktail elements.

The muted tones of the environment allow the vibrant hues of juices, extracts, and cocktail ingredients to stand out, highlighting the artistry and science behind the production process. It’s a subtle yet powerful expression of contrast, where the raw becomes refined.

The Storefront: A Gallery of Mixology

At the culmination of the internal route is the retail space, a striking display of color and geometry. Custom-designed refrigerators hold transparent ice cubes in artistic shapes and vividly colored liquids, all carefully backlit to capture the attention of passersby. The refrigeration units, framed in matte black tin, enhance the boldness of the contents inside, transforming functional storage into a visual showcase.

Staff Spaces with Warmth and Efficiency

Tucked away behind the main laboratory is the employee area, housing a private office, kitchenette, restroom, and locker facilities. These spaces are framed with wooden partitions, offering a stark but calming contrast to the laboratory’s cool, industrial tones. The warm wood accents soften the space and provide employees with a serene environment, while also maximizing the vertical space for smart storage solutions.

Bespoke Design Elements

OMI Studio didn’t stop at layout and materiality—they extended their creative expression into custom furniture and lighting design. The tasting room features stainless steel chairs and a bespoke table, both crafted to reflect the clean industrial theme. Suspended above the central lab island is a 4-meter-long light fixture, engineered from stainless steel and Perspex, developed in collaboration with lighting expert Studio Guy Mishaly. This not only illuminates the workspace effectively but also serves as a sculptural focal point.

Minimalism with Purpose

At its core, Liquidium Cocktail Laboratory is a perfect example of design serving function. It strikes a deliberate balance between operational efficiency and high-end design, using minimalism not as an aesthetic choice alone, but as a guiding principle for flow, clarity, and purpose. The space celebrates both the art of cocktail creation and the engineering of space, positioning the laboratory as a temple of modern mixology.

All the photographs are works of Dor Kedmi, Aviad Bar-ness