Cafe Design — Yelahanka

About the project

This Yelahanka café project involved concept development, interior design, FF&E selection and turnkey fitout. The brief called for an inviting neighbourhood café with efficient service flow, comfortable seating for varied groups, an exposed-barista counter and a compact back-of-house kitchen suitable for espresso-based beverages and light food service.

Design approach

We balanced warmth and durability — using natural timber accents, tactile tiles at high-wear zones, and easy-to-clean upholstery. Daylight optimisation and layered lighting create an inviting atmosphere across morning and evening service. Acoustic treatment and low-maintenance finishes ensure a comfortable long-term experience for staff and guests.

Key outcomes

• Optimised service counter and barista workflow that reduces queue times.
• Zoned seating for single users, small groups and community tables.
• Compact commercial kitchen with durable finishes and hygienic detailing.
• Sensible MEP routing to limit disruption and allow straightforward maintenance.

Operational notes

Layout decisions were coordinated with the operator to match peak service patterns. A simple supplier list, operation checklist and maintenance manual were delivered at handover to keep services consistent and reduce lifecycle costs.

Design & technical notes

Material and systems were selected with daily operation and cleaning in mind. Finishes combine durable, scuff-resistant tiles at service zones with warm wood veneer and powder-coated joinery in customer areas. Lighting uses a combination of indirect coves and focused pendants to create comfortable, layered illumination.

• Commercial-grade espresso machine island with stainless-steel back-of-house counters.
• Anti-slip, stain-resistant flooring at service areas; acoustic ceiling panels in seating zones.
• Low-VOC paints and locally available timber veneers for responsible sourcing.
• Energy-efficient LED downlights and dimmable circuits for ambience control.

Execution highlights

• Coordinated MEP with landlord services to avoid major landlord works.
• Staged fitout to allow early soft opening while finishing secondary works.
• Quick reference maintenance manual and supplier list at handover.
• 3-month post-handover check to address operational tweaks and staff feedback.