A vibrant 800 sqft takeaway hub by GROVE CAFE, serving bubble tea, pearl milk tea, and fruit tea.
With bold orange branding, neon signage, and efficient zoning, the design creates an eye-catching, student-friendly space that is both modern and highly functional.
Project details
Construction Duration
~2 months
Location
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Signature materials
Textured black ribbed panel
Orange lacquered joinery
White tiled backdrop
Neon signage
Area
800 sqft.
Year
2024
CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT
The project reimagines a small-scale retail outlet into a vibrant takeaway hub for Taiwanese-style beverages. Drawing from the bold orange brand identity of Taitai Foodtopia, the design creates a playful yet streamlined atmosphere that captures attention in a high-traffic university setting. The intent was to emphasize speed, clarity, and recognizability, aligning with the energetic lifestyle of students and faculty.
SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC
Originally a compact social enterprise kiosk, the space was reconfigured into a high-efficiency beverage bar. Clear zoning was introduced: ordering and payment at the front counter, open visibility of drink preparation at the back, and branding walls for customer engagement. Circulation was simplified to maximize throughput during peak hours while maintaining an inviting frontage.
GALLERY
MATERIALITY & DETAILING
A bold orange-and-white palette anchors the visual identity, complemented by textured black finishes at the counter, which add depth and contrast.
Neon signage and tiled backdrops convey a youthful, modern appeal while also serving as Instagrammable elements. The counter’s sculptural base integrates concealed lighting, adding warmth and highlighting the wave-like detailing.
PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES
The project reimagines a small-scale retail outlet into a vibrant takeaway hub for Taiwanese-style beverages. Drawing from the bold orange brand identity of Taitai Foodtopia, the design creates a playful yet streamlined atmosphere that captures attention in a high-traffic university setting. The intent was to emphasize speed, clarity, and recognizability, aligning with the energetic lifestyle of students and faculty.
COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS
Having previously designed the Metropolitan University (MU) branch, our team leveraged those insights to refine the design of this new location. The primary challenge was adapting a former small eatery into a compact yet efficient beverage takeaway outlet, requiring creative solutions in storage integration, workflow planning, and branding visibility.
TAITAI FOODTOPIA
HKU
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