CloCafé specializes in the use of artisanal methods for coffee brewing. It’s the ideal space for social gatherings, work meetings, casual afternoon conversations, or just to enjoy a cup of coffee in a comfortable space while it is being brewed right in front of you.
The use of an industrial style in materials, furniture, lightning and details, serves as a reminder of all of the traditional methods this brand relies on to extract the coffee. In addition, the overall layout, takes the maximum advantage of the space available, and offers different kinds of seating options for their customers.
CloCafé specializes in the use of artisanal methods for coffee brewing, this allows for a more authentic taste, a unique body, and the preservation of its natural oils.
Along with the beverages, it also offers a great selection of pastries and desserts.
The brand was set to open its first café at the entrance of a commercial building at the end of the year. The owners reached our studio with the task to design the ideal space for social gatherings, work meetings, casual afternoon conversations, or just to enjoy a cup of coffee in a comfortable space while it is being brewed right in front of you.
For the design concept, the clients asked for it to be a reflection of all the techniques used for the preparation of the coffee, which require special hardware made of metal, iron and glass. This led us to choose an industrial style, which relies on the use of those materials, along with a contrast of textures in their original color and finish.
The café is divided two different areas: a main area separated by glass doors and a second area shared with a hallway that connects the entrance with the rest of the gallery.
The main area has seating for three people on each table, where the Eames chairs steal the show. These white plastic molded chairs are organized around circular tables with wood tops and black iron legs.
The walls are covered in wallpaper with a worn out light wood pattern, to contrast them, we placed another wall in the center with a chalkboard finish. It has vintage illustrations of cups and mugs, and hand drawn lettering of coffee names and inspirational phrases. The lighting has an industrial feel to it. In the center of the space, warm light comes from lightbulbs with their wires exposed. In addition, we placed pendant iron beneath each table.
In the back of this area, we wanted to draw the attention of the customer to the counter. This is the most important part of the café, because it is the place where the coffee is brewed right in front of the customers. We decided to go for a plain white quartz to contrast the dark colors of the beverage. For the base, we used vintage tiles with different patterns to make it look like patchwork.
This area allows for individual seating, we selected the Tolix stools in a black metallic finish, to continue with the overall industrial feel of the place. For the lighting beneath them, we took a fun twist, hanging whiskers with lights installed on them.
The wall in the back is covered with pine wood planks and has the café’s logo stamped in a slightly rusted metal sheet.
The second area is shared with the rest of the building and serves as a hallway to access the stores located in the back. This meant that the seating design had to work in a very narrow space, so in this area the seating for each table is just for two.
In the front, we used upholstered armchairs with coffee tables, and in the back, went for taller tables with the same stools we used for the counter.
A long exposed brick wall accompanies this area. It was decorated with coffee cups attached to it forming a big clock. In addition, recycled pipes in a black rusty finish were hanged near the ceiling.
For the lighting we chose pendant lamps with a geometric design, this have a more modern feel to it but the color and finish plays along well with rest of the lighting.
The overall layout, allows the owners to take the maximum advantage of the space available, and to offer different kinds of seating options for their customers.
Furthermore, the use of an industrial style in materials, furniture, lightning and details, serves as a reminder of all of the traditional methods this brand relies on to extract the coffee.
- Interior Designer: Rafo Alfaro Studio, Architecture and Interior Design