Humble Grounds Coffee Roasters

The client envisions Humble Grounds Roasters as a refined yet approachable specialty café with a distinct Melbournian character. Located in a vibrant shopping district surrounded by office buildings, the café is designed to stand out from well-established Chinese coffee chains. The interior fosters community, connection, conversation, and coffee education, offering a unique experience through custom roasting for returning customers and an immersive hand-pouring experience.

The design emphasizes the craftsmanship of coffee roasting by integrating the roasting process into the main space, providing customers with both visual and sensory engagement. The warmth of walnut timber contrasts against raw concrete finishes, bringing a touch of Melbourne’s coffee culture to the Shanghai scene. With a relatively simple material palette, the client will introduce character through a curated collection of pop artworks and décor. An extended bar counter features a dedicated area for hand-pouring, while extensive shelving along the main wall accommodates product and merchandise displays.

Positioned at the corner of a building, the café’s lighting system is integrated with a DALI system, allowing automated adjustments based on the time of day and seasonal changes. This ensures an inviting ambiance throughout the day, enhancing both the customer experience and the café’s distinctive identity within a competitive market.