Reimagining the Coffee Shop Model
A warm, modern juice bar designed as a flexible hub for work, connection, and everyday energy.
At dl-Design Studio, we begin every project with a clear goal. For this juice bar, the objective was to create a warm, inviting space for the working nomad. A place where someone could work on their laptop, meet a client, or socialize. A temporary workspace that supports both focus and connection.
The client is a young entrepreneur offering a healthier alternative to a conventional cafe, rethinking the café model with juice and smoothie options in a space designed for both productivity and connection. The environment needed to reflect that forward-thinking mindset while remaining approachable. The interior aesthetic is a direct extension of the owner’s personality, giving the space a distinct and personal quality. From the outset, the vision was not simply to design a juice bar but to create a community-driven environment that feels energizing without being overwhelming.
A dynamic, community-focused space with varied seating designed to support both productivity and comfort.
The technical requirements for the kitchen dictated that it should be as far back and as hidden as possible, which allowed the juice bar to take center stage. This opened the floor plan to accommodate a greater variety of seating arrangements. Different zones support different needs: quieter, individual work areas are positioned toward the front. The layout transitions into a more relaxed, lounge-like setting in the back corner, intentionally designed for larger groups and social gatherings. The intention was to create a space that feels active but comfortable, social but relaxed. Regardless of where someone sits, circulation paths naturally guide them back to the central juice bar, reinforcing it as the heart of the space. A dedicated tasting zone at the bar further enhances this interaction, establishing a moment of engagement between staff and guests.
An overhead rendering of the full layout, showing a clear and flexible seating arrangement.
The defining feature of the project is the custom wood baffle ceiling installation. The design begins overhead, forming a subtle wave across the ceiling plane. As it moves throughout the room, the wave transitions down the walls, reversing direction. This establishes movement and continuity while visually connecting surfaces. The Golden Ratio served as the basis for the spacing, length, and depth of each baffle. Using this proportional system allows the form to feel natural and balanced. The result is a rhythmic pattern that gives the space its identity. Beyond aesthetics, the baffles also help soften acoustics in an otherwise open environment, supporting both focused work and conversation. White oak was chosen due to its durability, waterproof characteristics, light color, and light grain. Compared to more typical millwork species, white oak offers greater resilience while remaining more cost-effective than teak or cypress. Its light tone and subtle grain also allow it to take stain evenly, ensuring consistency throughout the space.
A lounge area designed for easy conversation and relaxed gathering.
Wood appears throughout the interior in multiple applications and needed to remain cohesive across each use. With such a strong presence, consistency in tone and finish was essential. At the same time, the wood elements had to coexist with the existing industrial features of the building. The warmth of the wood offsets the original structure, creating a dialogue between refined intervention and exposed framework. The result is a space that feels layered and intentional—grounded in its context yet distinctly its own. This project is currently positioned for a smooth lease takeover.
