This renovation comprises of simple interventions within the shell of an existing café. The façades of the original Victorian corner shop were updated with operable steel glazing, and a new entrance was established on the side street to activate both streetscapes. Internally, the dark palate of the old tenancy was stripped back and refreshed with brighter finishes and colours; and texture was regained by uncovering the materials and structure of the original building.
The fit out hinges around the functional aesthetic of an expansive set of shelving which wraps two sides of the room, serving as necessary storage and also providing a system of ever-evolving display and customer interaction. The larger undivided space is broken down via modes of seating which provide varying experiences to suit a wide range of users. Similarly, the shopfront has been reconfigured to include an external bench seat as an additional public use. The design as a whole aims to promote openness and the architectural response reflects the honest and community minded setting.
