Project Overview: A simple palette of white oak, tile, and concrete shapes this contemporary neighborhood bakery, where daylight, open displays, and layered seating create a welcoming café that celebrates craft, transparency, and the daily ritual of fresh bread.
Building Materials: The interior uses a restrained palette of durable, tactile materials to transform what was once a frame shop into a bakery. The existing concrete floors were ground, polished and made anew. They are durable and reflect daylight, while white herringbone tile introduces texture along the product wall. White oak millwork softens the industrial shell and creates contrast with black aluminum window frames and exposed building systems.
Project Details
• Spatial Organization: The café interior is organized around a central service counter and establishes a clear circulation sequence for ordering, pickup, and seating. The open layout allows visual continuity between patrons, staff, and the bakery displays while maintaining efficient service flow.
• Daylight and Transparency: Full-height storefront glazing lines the perimeter, drawing natural light deep into the interior and creating strong visual connections to the street and outdoor seating. The transparency reinforces the café’s role as an active neighborhood gathering space.
• Service Counter: The primary counter is clad in vertically articulated wood slats and topped with green veined stone, combining warmth with durability. Integrated display cases showcase breads and pastries while maintaining openness between staff and customers.
• Ceiling and Lighting: Suspended linear fixtures and pendant lights create a layered lighting field across the ceiling. The lighting complements exposed mechanical systems and reinforces the contemporary industrial character of the space.
• Retail Display: Open shelving sits on a tiled display wall providing space for packaged goods and products. Additionally, a series of stepped display shelves are integrated into the leading corner of the service counter.
• Seating Variety: Seating is designed to support multiple modes of use. Seating ranges from café tables along the storefront to a lounge area with custom designed upholstered banquettes, as well as an outdoor seating area.
• Atmosphere and Comfort: Large-scale botanical wallpaper anchors the rear wall, introducing color and softness that balance the precise material detailing and reinforce the bakery’s connection to natural ingredients and craft. Plants, soft seating, and warm lighting introduce residential elements that balance the more utilitarian aspects of the bakery environment. The result is a comfortable, welcoming interior where guests linger.
