Manana Cafés is a micro coffee roastery and coffee shop in Curitiba, with the purpose of bringing high-quality coffee and design products to everyone. The brand was developed by a young, creative, and entrepreneurial couple, with the premise of valuing the regional Latin culture. Initially, they sold coffee kits exclusively online. Considering the brand’s growth and recognition in the Curitiba scene, they decided to invest in a physical space, aiming to create a ‘take away’ environment that could also accommodate customers on-site.
The first Manana Cafés unit is located in a shop aligned with the building, next to access to a parking area in central Curitiba - a strategic location due to its high foot traffic. To establish a closer connection with pedestrians, we embraced the large windows on both sides of the building. We transformed the old, angled, and narrow entrance into a grand opening on the facade, with an arch at the front entrance marking the way. The lateral window, with thick walls, was transformed into a space for lingering, both inside and outside. Furthermore, its large pivoting glass provides protection from rainy and cold days while framing coffee visuals. The old corner door was closed, creating an external shelter for the brand’s name signage and an internal niche with shelves for product display.
The counter, clad in commonly used regional clay tiles, extends from the entrance to the seating area. This facilitates the swift delivery of orders for those choosing only to pick up their orders or guides customers to the seating area. Here, stools placed along the perimeter outside the preparation area allow customers to engage closely with baristas, who occasionally provide courses on-site. Additionally, the cobogó partition made of solid ceramic bricks creatively defines and safeguards the workspace for preparing sales and administration kits, also aligning with the brand’s orange visual identity.
At the back of the equipment counter, we have green tiles, traditional in Brazilian architecture, referencing the vibrancy of our nature. Suspended over the service counter, the TÜTE lamp, made from white paper bags - allowing for customizability - adds the nostalgic and intimate aspect requested by the owners. All these details - the connection between customer and barista, the use of regional materials, the selection of curated objects, and the potential for urban appropriation - have created the perfect atmosphere for conveying the brand’s values.
