Situated on a ‘floating node’ in the middle of one of the mall’s passageways, the ellipse-shaped floor plan is a result of the architecture of the mall; characterised by curved lines.
The 160 sq m café sits in a prominent location within a transparent structure to preserve the sight-lines to surrounding retail units and create an intimate atmosphere. Ninetynine created a fin system that follows the shape of the floor plan. The structure of the fins contains the back bar of the counter, a seating bench, and bar tops at two heights. On the higher level, the fins are connected with white steel tubes, which accommodate the lighting, comprising small spotlights screwed directly into the tubes and pendant lights suspended from the tubes over the bar tops.
The layout features an iconic counter, with high and low bar tables along a central communal table, and a comfortable leather banquette. The counter is an important part of the cafe’s interior concept. The top is made from a Terrazzo block, clad with vertical slats of dark oak flooring. A led line around the bottom of the terrazzo block emphasises this floating effect. Featuring a 3-group Spirit espresso machine and glass pastry display, the counter is covered by an open steel structure, which connects the structure to the interior and accommodates the menu boards.
To create the living room feel, Ninetynine used warm natural materials, with a herringbone floor in dark oak that creates a warm natural base for the interior. The layout features an iconic counter, high and low bar tables along the perimeter, a long central communal table and a comfortable leather banquette which sweeps around the oval perimeter.
The back counter, connected to the base of the pavilion, is realised in a dark grey finish with a black natural stone top. Brass pipes divide the back bar from the passing shopping crowd, protecting the operations without compromising the transparency of the structure.
The large communal table is positioned as an extension of the bar, covered by the same open steel structure which contains the lighting above the table. While red chairs add a touch of brand colour to the natural tones of the interior.
The narrow end of the oval-shaped pavilion is fully equipped with banquette seating on the concrete base of the structure. Leather seating pads and two leather backrest rolls ensure comfortable seating and shelter from the passing crowd. The leather upholstery comes in a gradient of brown tones, referring to the different roasts of coffee beans.
Along one of the open sides of the pavilion, two groups of two armchairs each form a soft terrace-like seating area. The armchairs are positioned on a custom branded circular rug and sheltered from the rest of the seating by a high black planter.
The project was completed in February 2021.