Pact Coffee

Pact Coffee epitomizes hip café culture, located in the heart of a bohemian cultural district. Our goals for the space were to create an intriguing and comfortable interior where customers could engage with others, recharge, and disconnect from the ordinary.

Cafés have served as important community gathering places throughout history and this one is no exception. The design team aimed to ensure that the space gave equal opportunity to all users, whether they were a grab and go customer, an individual looking for a space to work, or friends seeking an opportunity to reconnect. The space is anchored by a large central banquette reminiscent of a park bench and sculpted out of solid walnut dowels with an inset cushion detail. While its primary function is to provide seating, it also acts as a means of controlling the flow of customers as they move along the coffee bar from order to pickup. The large South and West facing windows were kept as open as possible to maintain the connection to the street and feature a minimal bar with seating for people watching and daydreaming. The coffee bar is located along the back of the cafe, with either end having close proximity to the entry and exit doors for efficient movement through the space. To accentuate its horizontality, the bar features long, linear detailing with wide bands of millwork and a deep mitered countertop that wraps the front edge. It’s accented with a modern interpretation of a coffered ceiling punctuated with pendant lighting.

The material palette was designed to maximize the tactility of the space while also being suitable for the heavy traffic of a street front café. Ribbed glass blocks were used to create screens at the entry points that also allow for the passage of light. Their texture is repeated in the ribbed walnut dowels that form the central banquette. American walnut was used throughout for its warm timeless appeal. Large format terrazzo tiles finish the floors and glazed white brick lines all the walls providing a robust surface for the busy space. A pop of powder blue is used to provide contrast on the bar ceiling feature, and glossy domed pendants accentuate the banquette below. The Eames Fibreglass chairs were selected specifically for their textural finish and durability.

Completed March 2022 | Clients: Rob Sanderson & Taylor Smart | Brand Design: Presley Mills | pactcoffee.ca