![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/8416/b357/65f8/f900/07a0/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(17).jpg?1588888554)
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Designers: Alexandre Baldwin, La Firme
- Area: 85 m²
- Year: 2019
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Photographs:Ulysse Lemerise
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Manufacturers: Forbo Flooring Systems, Daltile, Protech Powder
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Exterior Photography, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/7e54/b357/6579/8b00/0331/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(3).jpg?1588887097)
Text description provided by the architects. The new Melk Coffee Bar was not only a design-thinking tightrope walk between necessity and esthetics but a reminder of how much thought can go into aspects of design that people might overlook. The difficult space had to fit an existing brand and be elevated for future rollouts.
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Table, Windows, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/8356/b357/65f8/f900/079f/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(16).jpg?1588888376)
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/8445/b357/65f8/f900/07a1/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(19).jpg?1588888614)
A triangular floor plan with a curved wall and space tapering to 2’ wide made for strict tolerances. We took a production line-style approach, putting sleek machines on display, with a consumer path encouraging browsing and employee-client interaction.
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/8084/b357/65f8/f900/079b/medium_jpg/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(8).jpg?1588887649)
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Image 23 of 23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/805b/b357/65f8/f900/079a/newsletter/MELK_FLOORPLAN.jpg?1588887630)
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/804b/b357/6579/8b00/0338/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(7).jpg?1588887589)
Tables near the counter are raised to bar height on platforms and benches push ergonomic limits to meet a 24-person occupancy. The original space was cramped. Our esthetic approach emphasized the timelessness of raw materials within a limited palette.
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Table, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/8257/b357/6579/8b00/033a/newsletter/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(13).jpg?1588888119)
We turned the narrowing end into the back store and uncovered everything--architectural details, raw concrete, plumbing, and 14’ ceilings. Light paint, atypical use of ceramics, and wood provide organic accents.
![Melk Café / La Firme + Alexandre Baldwin - Interior Photography, Shelving, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb4/84c5/b357/65f8/f900/07a2/medium_jpg/LaFirme_MELK-Ulysse_Lemerise_(21).jpg?1588888740)