Case study ยท Cafes and hospitality
Lorong Kopi Cafe
A heritage shophouse ground floor turned into a 32-seat specialty coffee bar that serves 400 cups on a Saturday.
- Sector
- Cafes and hospitality
- Location
- George Town, Penang
- Year
- 2024
- Size
- 1,150 sq ft
- Scope
- Cafe fit-out
- Client
- Lorong Kopi Sdn Bhd (fictional)
- Duration
- 7 weeks on site
01
The brief
Lorong Kopi had outgrown its takeaway kiosk. The owners found a 4.5-metre-wide heritage shophouse in George Town and wanted a sit-down cafe without losing the speed of their takeaway trade.
As a heritage building, the facade, timber windows and airwell had to stay. Any change needed approval from the heritage authority.
02
Our approach
We ran a morning workshop with the baristas and mapped every step from order to pick-up. The counter became a long terrazzo bar with separate order and collection points, so takeaway customers never cross the seating.
The original airwell now lights the back seating. Rattan pendants, green-painted shelving and the restored timber windows keep the heritage character without pastiche.
03
The result
Lorong Kopi opened on the planned date. The new layout serves around 400 cups on a Saturday with the same team of four baristas.
- Seats
- 32
- Cups on a Saturday
- 400
- Days late on opening
- 0
Material palette
Terrazzo
Rattan cane
Brushed brass
They designed the cafe around the coffee, not the other way round.
Gallery
-
Open larger image
Back seating under the restored airwell -
Open larger image
Retail shelf for beans and brewing kit -
Open larger image
Window bench facing the street
Planning something similar?
Book a two-hour design consultation at your home or our Bangsar studio. The fee is credited back if you go ahead.