PLATO IRENE

May 2, 2023

2 min read

Client brief

Irene was the location of the very first Plato Coffee outlet and has since then built a strong relationship with the local community. The newly identified position for the store was situated in one of the popular Irene commercial buildings with its locality right across from the renowned Village Bistro.

The brief was to design a community favourite. A gathering space with a sense of place grounded in the nature of Irene. A sense of identity was to be introduced which would let the locals feel appreciated whilst subtly embracing the natural heritage of the Irene context.

Client comment

Indigen who brought this coffee shop to life in the heart of Irene has demonstrated their remarkable talent, vision, and commitment to the local heritage and community spirit.

Through their thoughtful design choices, attention to detail, and collaborations with local artists, they have created a space that truly reflects the essence of Irene. The coffee shop serves as a meeting place where residents and visitors can connect and appreciate the rich heritage and sense of community that define this remarkable area.

-Stephan Bredell

Project description

In the attempt to relate the clean, minimalist brand of Plato Coffee to the natural essence of Irene, the decision was made to use form, texture, and materials to soften the crisp aesthetic of the brand.

Rounded elements were introduced as feature components with hand crafted 3D tiles, custom furniture, timber and leather elements incorporating a softer, more organic aesthetic to the design.

A collaboration with the artist, Lené Magro, from Centred Studio resulted in the unique element of identity with a large-scale artwork depicting the everyday life of the Irene community.

The organic shaped floor layout of the identified site, lead to the creation of various pockets of spacial typologies. These social nooks were positioned around the central production area for visitors to gather and linger. Each with a view of the most important element, the baristas and their art of creating perfect beverages.