Attendant 4
Client: Attendant
Year: 2020/21
Location: London, UK
Program: Commercial
Size: 200 m2
Type: Commission
Team:
Jorik Bais, Alexandra Heijink, Baqus Construction Consultancy, Embassy Joinery & Refurbishment
Attendant 4 is an interior design project for a coffeehouse chain in London. Located in Canary Wharf, the project seeks to provide a serene escape from the bustling corporate world that surrounds it by confronting the visitor with a play of opposites. The interior space is defined by a clearly demarcated yet inviting green box, emphasizing the atmospheric threshold with the monotonous grey surroundings of the site while also reflecting the brand’s sustainable identity.
Various wood furniture elements define the edges of the green box and seamlessly consolidate different functionalities into one holistic appearance. With the same aesthetic language, the banquette seating islands provide customers with a sense of seclusion, while moveable planters guide visitors along their journey through the space. To enhance the customer experience, the proportion of the sit-down area is scaled down by an enclosed kitchen, which protrudes into the room and additionally provides storage for the bar area.
The placement and orientation of the bar, as the protagonist of the coffeehouse, was determined by an elaborate study of customer and workflow patterns conducted in collaboration with the client. The position divides different types of visitors—take-out vs. sit-down—upon entry, while the orientation ensures an efficient workflow for the staff during peak times and provides a panoptic overview of the entire space. Like a metallic serpent, the elongated bar curves fluidly into a U-shape, with the long end serving food and coffee, and the short end integrating a cocktail station for after-work hours. Through the multifunctionality of the bar and the simplicity of the overall design, the project aims to provide a timeless and lasting aesthetic.