La Firme transforms cramped area into Montreal’s sun-lit Melk Cafe
Design studio La Firme has turned a good, triangular area right into a shiny and ethereal cafe in Montreal.
The outpost is for Melk Cafe, a espresso store and cafe that has three places within the metropolis. La Firme has additionally designed its places on the nook of Saint-Urbain and Saint-Antoine streets.
Referred to as Melk Café Saint-Urbain, the brand new spot occupies a triangular industrial area close to the town’s Chinese language Quarter and enterprise district.
“The unique area was cramped,” mentioned La Firme founder Louis Beliveau. “A triangular ground plan with a curved wall and area tapering to 2 metres huge made for strict tolerances.”
The studio opted to maintain the area comparatively open with none inside partitions. The design showcases the prevailing excessive ceilings and ample gentle from a protracted glazed wall on the entrance, relatively than calling consideration to its irregular plan that reduces in dimension dramatically.
La Firme included present particulars like concrete partitions and uncovered plumbing and pipes within the interiors. New additions corresponding to polished concrete flooring and built-in furnishings are meant to make the area really feel previous and new as a result of the main points appear each modern and but industrial.
Mushy inexperienced accents, white ceramic tiles and wooden soften the in any other case industrial scheme.
“Our aesthetic method emphasised the timelessness of uncooked supplies inside a restricted palette,” Beliveau mentioned.
Upon getting into is a quantity that was included to shelter the interiors from Montreal’s chilly winter winds. Glazed higher parts permit the interiors to nonetheless really feel open and lightweight.
A protracted counter supplies area for taking orders, getting ready drinks and storing items.
The remainder of the eatery is outfitted with cubicles of various sizes that have been customized made by La Firme. Seating is constructed into them and permits the cafe to accommodate as much as 24 individuals.
“The brand new Melk espresso bar was not solely a design-thinking tightrope stroll between necessity and aesthetics however a reminder of how a lot thought can go into features of design that individuals may overlook,” mentioned Beliveau.
“We determined to make the built-ins banquettes to minimise footprint and maximise the numbers of shoppers with the ability to sit down and have a snack,” he added.
Appareil Structure colour-codes areas at Pastel Rita cafe in Montreal
The banquettes are raised on platforms above the bottom, making the tables bar-height. The tables are plywood with a laminated veneer colored pale inexperienced, which matches their painted steel bases.
Sq. white tiles spherical out the venture, which clad the built-in seating, the counter and the doorway.
Montreal is well-known for its meals and design-forward initiatives. Different bars and eating places embody Marcus on the 4 Seasons lodge, Falafel Yoni, Jack Rose, Vinvinvin and Appareil Structure’s vibrant Pastel Rita,
La Firme has additionally renovated a Montreal condo with an enormous toilet and constructed a nation residence from an previous barn.
Pictures is by Ulysse Lemerise.