The first completed shop fit-out project in Hong Kong by Atelier of Urban Architecture (AUA),
the design for {sfs} streetside cafe & lifestyle gallery aspires to
create a space that is reminiscent of the London urban lifestyle,
knitted within the chic bohemian bourgeois community of Star Street in
Hong Kong.
PROJECT NUMBER: AUA000
PROJECT NAME: {sfs} STREETSIDE CAFE | LIFESTYLE GALLERY
LOCATION: WANCHAI, HONG KONG
PROJECT: 2013
CLIENT: {sfs}
SHOP AREA: 300 SQFT
The challenge of the project lies in fusing 2 different streams of the
business under one unified concept and presentation within a 300sqft
space. The stringent F&B licensing requirements in Hong Kong has
dictated for half of the shop area to be dedicated for the kitchen. The
remaining shop area has been further reduced by recessing the shopfront
into the shop, creating a porch offering a covered bench area looking
out to the passing traffic.
The reduced shop area, though compromising the amount of seating offered
within the cafe, has proven to be particularly successful in
encouraging interaction between customers, quite often lacking in larger
cafes, and hence distinguishing {sfs} as a neighborhood hangout. In
line with the lifestyle that {sfs} promotes, simple materials have been
chosen to create the cosy space ideal as a cafe but yet act as a blank
canvas to showcase other lifestyle products. Responding to the narrow
proportions of the space, a linear layout has been adopted to accentuate
the shop’s narrowness. OSB timber boards have been chosen as the
material to fabricate all the furniture in the shop. The left wall
comprises of shallow shelves made to display packs of coffee beans and
teabags, as well as offer cafe seating. The right wall is a bespoke
piece of joinery and features a triangulated shelf that integrates both
storage and display into one, meanwhile it’s geometry is a reaction to
the existing space and embraces visitors into the shop.
Since it’s opening, the shop has successfully hosted various neighborhood events, including utilizing the roof terrace as a stage for music performances, adapting the display shelves for the display of artwork, and transforming the neighboring alley for a public art installation.
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