The client’s brief was to create a space that matches the café concept of ‘simple and honest dishes using fresh ingredients.’ This brief and its concept directed us to use vegetable crates as the design inspiration. It seemed logical to use a container for fresh fruits and vegetables to create a space where they serve food and drink made from the very same ingredients.

A large quantity of timber is used throughout the space covering the ceiling and walls to redefine the space as a sculptural form within an existing rectangular building shell. Having the space decorated with timber features provided a natural feel and warmth to the space, which matches the café’s concept. Creating a sculptural form by positioning timber features throughout the space also provided an interesting and distinctive visual impact to the people walking past and attracted patrons. Creating the timber features on the ceiling and walls also enables us to maximise the use of the limited floor space for both food preparation and small seating areas.

Photography: Itsuka Studio