Tekla's London Flagship Blends Scandinavian Clarity with British Charm
Danish homeware brand Tekla has unveiled its first UK store on London's Marylebone High Street, a serene space designed by Mentze Ottenstein. The store showcases a harmonious blend of natural materials like clay plaster, cherry wood, and wool, reflecting a fusion of Scandinavian minimalism and subtle British design sensibilities to create an inviting retail experience.
Cafe Tondo: A Vibrant Culinary and Community Hub in LA's Chinatown
Cafe Tondo, a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles' Chinatown, has been meticulously crafted by Mouthwash Studio and Aunt Studio to serve as a welcoming community hub. Drawing inspiration from casual Mexico City cantinas, its interiors blend warmth and generosity, offering coffee, wine, small plates, and live music. The design emphasizes custom Mexican furnishings and ceramics, creating a space that encourages social connection and lingering.
Ste Marie Transforms Residential Tower into Vibrant Hospitality Hub in Edmonton
Canadian design firm Ste Marie has masterfully crafted three unique hospitality spaces—Va Caffè, Olia, and Mimi—within the Citizen on Jasper residential tower in Edmonton, Alberta. Each venue offers a distinct culinary and social experience, from a bright daytime cafe to a sophisticated Italian restaurant and a vibrant lounge. This ambitious project aims to invigorate the urban landscape, transforming the tower's base into a dynamic cultural destination that fosters community engagement and enhances walkability.
Discover Serenity: Joe Blake's Holborn Oasis - Where Design Meets Daily Ritual
Reimagining a Busy Urban Space: The Genesis of Tranquility in Holborn
The architectural firm EBBA embarked on an ambitious project to convert a previously utilitarian dry cleaner's establishment into a welcoming coffee shop for Joe Blake's, strategically positioned within the highly active Holborn underground station in London. This venture represents Joe Blake's fifth outpost since its inception in 2019, marking a significant expansion of its presence across the capital. The core challenge for EBBA was to inject a sense of calm and accessibility into a site initially conceived for purely transactional exchanges, aiming to offer a peaceful counterpoint to the surrounding metropolitan fervor.
Cultivating Calm: Strategic Design Choices for a Relaxed Atmosphere
To achieve a more soothing environment, the design studio initiated thoughtful structural adjustments. The focus was on reconfiguring the internal layout to enhance a feeling of spaciousness, subtly broadening visual pathways, and refining the customer flow between the entrance and the service counter. This meticulous approach transformed the compact kiosk into an inviting and interactive area, transcending its basic service function to become a notable architectural feature within the station. The space was envisioned as both a routine stop and a fleeting haven for commuters seeking a quick, revitalizing coffee experience.
The Central Hub: A Harmonious Blend of Functionality and Aesthetics
At the core of the newly designed space is a sleek, rounded stainless steel counter. This central element not only facilitates efficient service but also elegantly incorporates a display area for an assortment of pastries, cakes, and other delightful treats, complementing the beverage offerings. Behind this counter, a cleverly designed storage wall discreetly houses additional coffee beans, cups, and essential barista equipment. The cabinets of this storage unit feature a distinctive 'milky' surface finish, subtly obscuring their contents and contributing to the overall serene aesthetic.
The 'Milky Screen' Effect: Crafting Intrigue and Serenity
The concept of the 'milky' screen was inspired by a desire to establish a delicate visual separation between the customer-facing area and the preparation zones, drawing parallels with the understated clarity found in contemporary pharmacy displays. The intention was to hint at the activities behind the bar without fully exposing them, fostering a sense of curiosity rather than complete revelation. This diffused quality of the screen introduces a gentle luminosity, harmonizing the visual field and imbuing the cafe with a composed and tranquil ambiance, thereby enriching the customer experience.
Expanding Horizons: Visual Techniques to Enhance Perceived Space
Further enhancing the spatial perception, EBBA strategically applied a sand-colored plaster to the shop's ceiling. Additionally, mirrors were installed on the far wall, a classic design technique employed to create an illusion of greater depth and length within the confined space. A prominent feature on the central mirror is an orange decal of Joe Blake's distinctive handwritten-style logo, serving as a vibrant brand identifier and a focal point within the thoughtfully designed interior. This blend of subtle color, reflective surfaces, and brand integration culminates in a coffee shop that is both functionally efficient and aesthetically pleasing, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of London's busy transport network.