Office AIO Brings a Fusion of Ancient and Modern Spatial Experience to Grid Coffee in Suzhou
As Grid Coffee prepared for its first and flagship location in Suzhou, Office AIO set out to create a unique interior that is about setting foot and connecting with the city and its people.
Weaving Suzhou's Cultural Essence with Brand Aesthetics
Throughout history, Suzhou has always been the “metropolis” that attained both economical and political authority, and along with the beautiful and poetic geographical features, developed a wealth of cultural significance. Office AIO envisions a design that aligns with Grid Coffee’s well-established sleek and professional brand aesthetics and attitude, but more so, one that is a blend of the established and the localized, adding a cultural richness in the store’s experience.
Sitting on a prominent corner by the mall’s entry plaza with fully glazed facade, the site is anchored by an elegant but humble structure that gently rests above the ground. This raised bespoke central bar system is framed by an aluminium superstructure, rendered in abstraction of the traditional stepped roof portrays an internalized piece of historic artefact. The bar not only is a powerhouse for providing Grid’s famous espresso, but more importantly provides an intimate and leisurely setting for their new “free-flow drip-coffee tasting menus”.
Design Details Highlight Innovative Ideas
The iconic walnut interior, signature to Grid Coffee's aesthetic, elegantly frames the steel structure, accentuating the architectural silhouette with a unique charm that captivates from the outside. This backdrop harmonizes with Grid’s sleek brand identity, while the contrasting dark, crazily paved basalt or slate flooring, reminiscent of ornate garden paths, further sets the interior apart from the bar area. This material selection not only enhances the visual appeal but also bridges traditional and contemporary elements, transforming the space into more than a coffee shop but a cultural rendezvous.
A Symphony of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces with Nature
Indoor and outdoor seating arrangements were considered as a whole that organically disperse outwards from the bar. Taking inspiration from the historic garden balustrades, custom-designed granite benches with padded details catered for comforts form the majority of fixed seating within the interior and exterior. Integrated planter boxes manifested a refreshing setting while ensuring a sense of privacy.
Inspired by elements from classical gardens and traditional Chinese architectural and landscape design characteristics and textures, and grounded by Grid Coffee’s brand framework, the flagship’s design is a distilled representation carrying the traditional aesthetics and forms ex-pressed in a contemporary approach.
