Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
GRND Coffee Cafe
by Fahad Alhumaidi and Noura Alshammari
- A' Design Award 2020 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Fikrr Architects
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 20,726
- Verification code CE14F71627 · Verify this award
About GRND Coffee Cafe
GRND Coffee is a cafe interior designed within a space of 30 square metres. The old building has weak partition walls, so a separate steel structure was added to act as an envelope. The envelope is finished with oak wood in a herringbone pattern with brass dividers. Brass spacers repeat the pattern in the polished terrazzo floor. Marble surfaces and polished brass inserts are combined with industrial elements. Instead of standard tables and chairs, a row of upholstered benches runs along one wall. Small, lightweight tables can be moved to suit each guest.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- In order to separate the cafe from the old building weak wall structure, we created a separate steel structure works as an envelope finished with oak wood in a herringbone pattern with brass dividers, echoed by brass spacers in the polished terrazzo floor. To maximize the 30 square metre space, rather than tables and chairs, we provided a row of upholstered benches along one wall accompanied by small, lightweight tables that can be easily moved to suit patrons’ needs.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 30 square metre space, Marble surfaces and polished brass inserts meld with industrial elements, oak wood in a herringbone pattern with brass dividers, echoed by brass spacers in the polished terrazzo floor.
- Tags
- cafe, retail design, speciality coffee, small space
- Production Technology
- In order to separate the cafe from the old building weak wall structure, we created a separate steel structure works as an envelope
- Design Challenge
- working with old building existing structure with very weak wall partition separating the different retail spaces.we created a separate steel structure works as an envelope to accommodate our design.
- Project Duration
- Start March 2019 and completed on May 2019
- Operation Flow
- cafe
- Inspiration
- “Our journey to GRND Coffee Co started seven years ago with a bag of single origin coffee, a blade grinder, and a French press,” say the clients. “Fueled by curiosity and a love of coffee, Coffee machines was intently left exposed to reflect the client story.
- Image Credits
- NGPhoto
- Patents
- fikrr.com
Colors of GRND Coffee Cafe
Get GRND Coffee Cafe
Award-Winning Interior Architecture Services
We transform challenging spaces into exceptional environments. Our expertise spans boutique cafes to luxury hotels, with a focus on innovative solutions that maximize functionality while creating memorable experiences. From concept to completion, we deliver projects that elevate your brand.
G0E3 ShopGrand Interview about GRND Coffee Cafe
Our goal was to make the space work harder than its size suggests. Every element was designed to serve multiple functions, creating a café experience that feels open, dynamic, and comfortable despite the limited footprint.
The material palette was inspired by the balance between warmth and sophistication. Oak wood in a herringbone pattern adds texture, craftsmanship, and a sense of timelessness, while the brass dividers introduce a refined contemporary accent.Together, these materials reflect GRND Coffee Cafe's identity modern, welcoming, and detail-oriented—creating a memorable space that feels both elegant and comfortable.
The existing building's walls were structurally weak and unable to support additional loads, which led us to develop an independent steel structure. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we used it as an opportunity to create a flexible architectural framework that defines the space without relying on the original structure.This approach reflects our philosophy toward adaptive reuse respecting the existing building while introducing contemporary interventions that enhance functionality, longevity, and spatial character. The steel structure became both a technical solution and a key design feature that contributes to the café's identity.
The client's journey played an important role in shaping the design. We wanted the coffee-making process and equipment to become part of the customer experience, celebrating the passion and dedication behind the brand.By exposing the coffee machines and preparation area, we transformed the café into a space that tells the story of its evolution from a simple French press to a professional specialty coffee destination while creating transparency, authenticity, and a stronger connection between the baristas and customers.
The material selection was guided by the desire to create a space that feels both authentic and refined. Industrial elements, such as the exposed steel structure, express the building's honesty and functionality, while marble and polished brass introduce warmth, elegance, and a sense of craftsmanship.The contrast between these materials creates a balanced atmosphere that reflects GRND Coffee Cafe's identity simple, contemporary, and premium without being overly formal.
In a compact space, materials and patterns play an important role in creating visual depth. The terrazzo flooring was chosen for its durability and timeless character, while the brass spacers establish a subtle geometric rhythm that complements the brass details throughout the café.The wooden walls add warmth and texture, creating a balanced contrast with the terrazzo. Together, these elements guide movement through the space and make the interior feel richer and more spacious without overwhelming its scale.
With a three-month timeline, the most critical decision was to establish a clear design direction from the outset and focus on materials and construction methods that could be executed efficiently without compromising quality.We prioritized early coordination with contractors and suppliers, simplified details where possible, and concentrated on a few strong design elements such as the independent steel structure, material palette, and open coffee bar. This approach allowed us to maintain the original design vision while delivering the project on schedule.
In a 30-square-meter café, every square meter must serve a purpose. Our strategy was to maximize functionality through a flexible layout, integrated seating, and efficient circulation while keeping the design visually clean and uncluttered.By carefully selecting materials, using a cohesive palette, and emphasizing a few key architectural elements, we created a space that feels larger than its actual size. The result is an environment that is both highly efficient and aesthetically refined, providing a comfortable experience for customers without compromising the design vision.
The clients' passion for coffee culture was instrumental in shaping the café's functionality. Their hands-on experience helped us understand the workflow, equipment requirements, and customer interaction points that are essential to a specialty coffee environment.This collaboration led to an open and efficient layout where the coffee-making process becomes part of the customer experience. By combining their operational knowledge with our design approach, we created a space that is both highly functional and reflective of the brand's story and values.
Receiving international recognition through the Silver A' Design Award reinforced our belief that small spaces can have a strong architectural impact when every design decision is intentional.The project encouraged us to continue exploring how flexibility, materiality, and clear spatial organization can transform compact retail environments into memorable experiences. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on creating efficient, human-centered spaces that deliver both functional value and a strong sense of identity, regardless of their size.