Project details

Construction Duration

~2 months

Location

Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Signature materials

Calacatta White Marble – used extensively on the counter façade and bar top to evoke Italian luxury and craftsmanship.
Matte Black Powder-Coated Steel – featured in shelving, pendant lighting, and wire-frame chairs, introducing a contemporary industrial balance.
Light Oak Wood Flooring – softens the overall palette and adds warmth to the space, complementing the marble and metal tones.
Textured Plaster Wall Finish – gives a handcrafted, natural surface reminiscent of old Italian cafés.
Transparent Tempered Glass Façade – ensures maximum street visibility and natural light, creating a seamless connection between the café interior and the urban streetscape.
Framed Monochrome Photographs – a defining decorative layer expressing the brand’s Italian heritage and timeless aesthetic.

Area

1000 sqft

Year

2016

CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT

Inspired by the Italian café tradition since 1927, the space was envisioned as an authentic yet modern espresso bar — where European sophistication meets Hong Kong’s urban rhythm. The design aimed to recreate the warmth and elegance of a classic Italian coffeehouse through its proportion, tone, and texture.

SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC

The café occupies a ground-floor retail space in a business tower, with dual frontage that connects both the street and the building’s lift lobby.
The layout was organized to maximize transparency and flow, guiding patrons naturally from the glass façade seating into the espresso counter and central service bar. A gentle floor-level ramp accommodates barrier-free access, while creating a subtle spatial gradient between the indoor and semi-public zones.

GALLERY

MATERIALITY & DETAILING

A restrained palette defines the ambience:

Calacatta white marble counter base for elegance and permanence.
Matte black steel framing and wire chairs to echo Italian modernism.
Warm wood flooring and light-toned wall finish balance the industrial ceiling grid.
A gallery wall of monochrome photography celebrates Italian heritage, creating cultural depth within the minimalist framework.

PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES

COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS

The project required close coordination between the client’s Italian coffee specialists and the local design-build team to meet brand standards and operational needs.
Despite the tight schedule, precision detailing and on-site adjustments ensured consistency between design intent and actual craftsmanship, making Caffè Diemme Sheung Wan one of the brand’s signature outposts in Hong Kong.