Bringing the Vida e Caffè coffee brand to life in a visual way

The interior design of Vida e Caffè in the Canal Walk shopping centre in Cape Town was an exercise in the evolving design challenges of a commercial coffee shop, and one which we embraced with open arms.

With commercial design there are two main considerations that tend to affect all aesthetic decisions, namely cost-effectiveness and location. Cost-effectiveness is key and the location often secured before interior design is considered. But what is design, if not the ultimate problem solver?!

Our specific solution was to translate the brand and marketing brief – with due consideration to the aesthetic brand guidelines – into a three-dimensional space that immediately resonates and manifests in the customer’s experience of the coffee shop.

Flow and layout is an important consideration, and care was taken to ensure the flow informs the layout – and the layout, in turn, informs the flow. We designed the interior layout such to encourage people to go with the flow, thereby optimising the brand experience for coffee lovers.

The corporate colour palette was somewhat limiting but we rose to the challenge and designed specifically for the brand, in a way that can be adapted to each space. Material considerations and brand best practices were firmly adhered to here. As such, the pieces are as durable as they are functional, and as cost-effective as they are attractive.  

The result is a retail space that reflects the corporate brand image in a unique and highly functional way.

CODE has designed the interior of the following Vida coffee shops:

• Cavendish
• Canal Walk
• Paarl
• Paarden Eiland

Coming soon:

• Hermanus
• Six Durban Place, Durban