Elephant Grounds
Flagship
We were tasked to design Elephant Ground’s flagship at a unique site in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Spanning 7,000sqft, with a roastery and a VIP area, the largest location yet would have all the Elephant Grounds offerings such as their merchandising and ice cream parlour, bakery and a full menu.
Located on a visible corner of Hollywood Road, the site is situated in the dynamic F&B scene in Hong Kong. With several antique shops and art galleries nearby, the context is unique, serving a large expat community and locals alike, many of whom are young city professionals.
Bean Buro team: Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, Lorène Faure, Kyla-Val Azar, Savannah Wilkins
Main contractor: Dongde Decor
Client: Elephant Grounds
The Narrative: The neighbourhood ecology
One of our goals was for the design to be a part of the ecology of the neighbourhood and respond to the lifestyles of end users who appreciate and the artful context wellbeing. The café is an ideal location for casual business meetings, remote working, socialising, and even a hug for dog lovers who enjoy bringing their pets out with them.
The Process: A lifestyle-focused approach
Our narrative inspired us to research incorporating biophilic design elements into the space, such as a unique suspended preserved moss ceiling installation in the center of the space, as well as a preserved moss wall in the open area that can be shuttered. The large plants between areas serve as an additional biophilic element and partitioning technique. As a response to the artful context of Sheung Wan, we designed various locations for the client to commission artists and display unique art throughout the space. For the residents walking their dogs in the area, we created hooks along the façade so dogs could be parked in a way that customers can also sit with them as part of the street and café experience.
The Solution: An dynamic and engaging design
The engaging façade which is part of the street lures people in from afar to enter the interior space. The main sales counter is the central feature of the space with a prominent curvy timber volume that forms the backdrop of the indoor space.
The roastery and merchandising space have dichroic film on the glass of the façade, colours shifting to attract attention from the street. The roastery machines are visible through a dichroic glass wall from both inside and outside and outside the space.
Plenty of natural daylight filters into the VIP space which is positioned near the street and can be partitioned off for private events.
There are several seating options for customers, such as the tables along the moss installation, bars with high stools, or booth seating. Some of the café tables are custom designed with a chessboard tabletop and drawers for users to sit and play chess.
The Materials: Refreshing and driven by wellbeing
We responded to the client’s brand aesthetic which includes a heavy use of timber and charcoal metal frames as well as plants. For a refreshing take, we employed a lighter use of timber and limited black metal as an accentuation only to highlight the French windows. We also used a colourful terrazzo with orange specks in it, making a subtle connection to the brand’s colour which is orange. Furthermore, this project entailed an even more intensive use of biophilic elements. The overall feel is fresh and airy, and in line with a contemporary wellbeing lifestyle mood and feel.
During the day, the space is light-filled with natural daylight coming in from the façade. In the evening, the atmosphere becomes vibrant with music playing from a DJ booth and professional sound system, enticing customers to enter. The space sits very well with the F&B scene in Hong Kong. We specified low VOC materials, and the terrazzo flooring is a sustainable and eco-friendly. Materia.
The moss, once preserved, will continue to draw moisture and airborne particles such as dust out of the air, contributing to the indoor air quality through a natural and sustainable method. The moss has a natural, earthy, woody scent to it, but due to preservation, does not attract insects.
