A contemporary café where the work is the medium

From interior design of creative and community spaces The brief from the very first moment gave a clear direction: they did not want a café in the classic sense, but an urban space that would function as a meeting point, exhibition space and inspiration.
A place in the centre of Budapest where contemporary art, design and everyday presence naturally intertwine.

The aim of a non-sterile, non-enclosed, constantly changing space was to create. An environment that does not provide ready answers, but raises questions. It's not flashy, yet it has character. Urban but human scale. A balance of old and new.

This thinking informed the whole interior design concept.

Inspiration: London, Shoreditch and the importance of Brick Lane

A key element of the brief is Shoreditch, London, including the Brick Lane and the Dray Walk area was marked as inspiration. This is no coincidence.

Shoreditch is one of London's most distinctive creative districts, where industrial past, culture, street art and contemporary design have been layered together for decades. Brick Lane is not just a street, it's an attitude:
- the presence of art in everyday life
- acceptance of imperfection
- the culture of temporary exhibitions and pop-up spaces
- reinterpreting the built heritage

The importance of the area lies in the fact that does not want to be united, yet coherent. The streets are a combination of graffiti, gallery space, café, workshop and community space. It was this kind of freedom and intellectual looseness that we wanted to translate to the Budapest site.

The space is based on brick vaults and industrial heritage

One of the strongest assets of the downtown location is the existing brick vault was. From a conceptual point of view, this became a starting point, not a background element.
The brick was not a surface to be covered up, but a vehicle of identity.

The vault:

• gives you a sense of space
• tells a story
• creates visual rhythm

- and creates a link between past and present

This industrial, raw base provided the framework on which the contemporary layers could build. The space did not want to be „new”, but rather timepieces.

Contemporary elements and Breuer-effect in furniture

On the raw funds contemporary, Breuer-inspired pieces have been. It's not about direct quotations, but about proportions, form and use of materials.

They appear:

• block-like, characterful furniture shapes
• contrasts of metal and wood
• clean geometry
• aesthetics by function

These elements do not dominate the space, but coexist with it. The aim was not to overwhelm the visual, but to create a space where furniture, lighting and the use of materials serves as a background for the creation.

A café and exhibition space at the same time

This project cannot be separated by function. Coffee, meeting and exhibition happen in the same time and space.

Important elements of the concept:

• temporary exhibitions of local artists
• variable wall surfaces
• flexible use of space
• mobile installations

The identity of space is not fixed. As the artists change, so does the atmosphere. This constant movement gives the space its real character.

Use of materials and colours

The interior design concept is material-driven. Materials are not decorations, but protagonists.

Dominant elements:

• brick
• concrete
• metal
• dark toned wood
• warm neutral surfaces

The colour palette is earthy, subdued. Browns, rust tones, muted greens, creamy tones. These provide a calm base, while purple and lime bring a sparkling character to the space.

Planning process and timeframes

The project design process consisted of several phases:

• conceptualisation and moodboard
• floor plan design
• visual design
• choice of materials and furniture

More than just an interior

This space is not simply the interior design of a café. Rather, it is a urban creative platform.
A place where traces of the past are made timeless by contemporary use.
Where eclecticism and concept are not mutually exclusive.
Where inspiration is not decoration, but presence.

Related content

If you are interested in similar projects, you should check out articles on interior design for modern catering spaces also in Interior Magazine.

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