Mini Cuppa's latest store is located in the iconic Zaha Hadid-designed Sky Soho in Hongqiao, Shanghai. The store design takes its inspiration from the food menu and in particular the bubble tea drinks to create a fun and photogenic space.
CLIENT
Mini Cuppa
LEAD DESIGNER
Hannah Churchill
DESIGN TEAM
Heshan Li
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Chua
The café occupies the curved end of a row of shops and needed to appeal to young professionals working in the towers above. The design had to transform an unusual perimeter into useful seating while giving the client’s creative drinks and snacks a memorable architectural identity.
The finished space makes the product idea tangible without becoming literal. Curves connect the architecture, furniture, floor and lighting, while the warm palette creates an inviting break from the offices above — a light, social setting shaped around Mini Cuppa’s playful offer.
A sweeping banquette follows the existing curved wall and wraps around the principal seating area. Caramel-coloured walls warm the space between a custom black-and-white terrazzo floor and polished stainless-steel lighting. Inspired by tapioca pearls, the floor uses irregular pebble-shaped inlays; each tile was precut, numbered, installed and polished onsite. Terrazzo tables continue the circular language through intersecting curved bases and contrasting tops. Above the banquette, custom folded stainless-steel discs hang at different angles, catching changing daylight and forming a sculptural installation. Paper lanterns and planting soften the reflective elements and give the café a more relaxed atmosphere.
EXPLORE MORE
FIELDWORK BAKER & Co.
Ningbo
NINGBO BAKERY
Ningbo
TIONG BAHRU BAKERY
Singapore
Have a project in mind?
Get in touch →