Coexist Coffee Co.

We wanted to retain, reinterpret and reassemble the existing space in surprising new ways. The aim was to create a space that invites visitors to slow down and have a calm coffee experience while the scent of roasted coffee lingers in the air. And what's more relaxing than a walk in the park?

When Coexist Coffee Co., known for cafe interiors which coexist harmoniously with the sites, brought us to their new space at the Institute of Learning, a double-height, industrial space with generous daylight and spiral stairs, we knew it would be a challenge.

Their goal was to create a special space, where they could not only house a coffee roastery and coffee cocktail bar, but also have a coffee-centric learning area.

We wanted to retain, reinterpret and reassemble the elements and language of the existing space in surprising new ways. The aim was to create a space that invites visitors to slow down their day, and have a relaxed, calm coffee experience while the scent of roasted coffee lingers in the air. And what's more relaxing than a walk in the park?

In creating this experience, we explored the various encounters one would be familiar with in a park. A meandering garden path welcomes the visitor, and leads them to the various spaces in the cafe. Stepping off this path and over undulating ground, visitors will find coffee tables, with customised seating designed after park benches of various forms. Bench tags with various coffee annotations are also affixed to these seats. Timber logs that function as stools and small side tables further enhance this park language.
A playful take on tiered planters forms stepped seating, with black sand and cushions that mimic garden pebbles. This tiered cluster angles towards the central bar and coffee roaster, which mimics the language of the existing spiral stairs. This directional relationship makes the area perfect for hosting coffee classes. Varying collections of dried flowers and greenery were curated, to add to the immersive atmosphere of this parkscape.

Park lights and lamp posts of different heights are carefully positioned, to create a pleasing composition with other elements, while ensuring that the space is well-lit, yet intimate. Park signs pointing towards other Coexist Coffee outlets are added to lamp posts for a whimsical touch. All of these details, rendered in a colour scheme that harmonises with the existing building, come together for a coffee experience that beckons you to slow down, get in touch with your senses, and take in the world around you.

LOCATION
SINGAPORE
YEAR
COMPLETION 2022
DISCIPLINE
INTERIOR & ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS
TYPOLOGY
RESTAURANT/BAR
SIZE (SQM)
300 SQM
TEAM
TORRANCE GOH, NINA ARILY, PAMELA LEE, PHUCHONG YAMCHOMSUAN, TERESA KHOO 
COLLABORATORS
FLOWERS: HUMID HOUSE  |   CONTRACTOR: LECASA INTERIOR  |   PHOTOGRAPHER: FABIAN ONG