Project 05
About this project:
Interior Design Concept
Coffee Shop
Elephant & Castle, London, UK
Get Living wanted to breathe new life into an unused office space, reimagining it as a welcoming and fully functional coffee shop. The challenge was to craft an environment that felt inviting to customers whilst remaining operationally efficient – striking the right balance between atmosphere, flow, and practicality.
Concept Development
To explore different design possibilities, I developed three distinct interior concepts, each offering a unique spatial configuration, seating arrangement, and material palette. These options allowed the client to choose a direction that best aligned with their brand identity, target audience, and business model.
Minimal & Contemporary
A clean, understated aesthetic featuring light timber finishes, neutral tones, and subtle industrial details. The focus was on openness, efficiency, and a calming atmosphere, ideal for remote workers, casual meetings, and a smooth operational workflow.
Industrial & Elegant
A sophisticated take on industrial design, combining a crisp black, white, and blue palette with exposed metal detailing and clean structural lines. Polished and powder-coated metal elements add an edge of raw authenticity, whilst refined finishes and considered lighting elevate the space beyond purely utilitarian. The result is a confident, stylish environment that feels both striking and professional – suited to a clientele who appreciate design with character.
Vibrant & Social
A dynamic, bold concept incorporating playful colours, graphic elements, and varied seating arrangements to create an energetic and social environment. This option was designed for a younger demographic, incorporating communal tables, high seating, and interactive elements to encourage engagement.
Key Design Considerations
Customer Flow & Zoning
The layout was carefully planned to ensure smooth circulation from the entrance to the counter and seating areas. Dedicated zones balanced order pick-up, high-traffic areas, and quieter seating options to optimise the customer experience.
Materiality & Texture
Thoughtfully selected materials—natural wood, polished concrete, soft upholstery, and accent lighting—added depth and character, ensuring durability while enhancing the overall ambiance.
Lighting & Atmosphere
A layered lighting approach combined warm ambient lighting for seating areas, task lighting for the counter, and accent lighting to highlight key design features, creating a well-balanced and inviting atmosphere.
Sustainability & Longevity
Given the high-traffic nature of a coffee shop, durable and easy-to-maintain materials were prioritised. Where possible, sustainable finishes, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-friendly furniture were incorporated to align with modern sustainability standards.
Outcome
The final design selection was tailored to reflect the client’s vision, reinforce their brand identity, and enhance customer experience. By offering three distinct design approaches, I provided the client with a flexible framework to shape the café’s personality while maintaining functionality, efficiency, and long-term adaptability. surroundings.
