The project brief involves transforming a garage into a dual-purpose space: a bakery and a café, maintaining an open-plan layout without structural barriers between the two areas.
The design cleverly separates the bakery and café areas with a simple yet effective step up in the floor level. The garage's original roller door has been replaced with glazed timber-framed bi-fold doors, allowing abundant natural light to flood the interior, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere. Adjacent to this, a semi-outdoor seating area is envisioned, offering a pleasant al fresco dining experience.
A key feature of the transformation is repurposing the former entry lobby to the upper floors into a quaint shop space. This area is equipped with new timber bi-fold windows facing the street, and a sales counter that overlooks the seating area, integrating seamlessly with the café.
The result of this renovation is a symbiotic relationship between the bakery and café. Customers in the café can enjoy the spectacle of bakers kneading dough and preparing fresh products, adding an authentic and engaging element to their experience. Similarly, the bakers are not isolated in their workspace; they can observe and interact with the café dynamics and have a view of the street, creating a lively and connected atmosphere. This thoughtful design not only maximises the utility of the space but also fosters a relaxed and inviting environment for both customers and staff.