A refined Italian café concept crafted with European elegance and urban precision.
Located in Sheung Wan’s business district, Caffè Diemme brings a classic espresso culture into a modern, minimalist space.
White marble counters, black steel accents, and light wood flooring create a calm yet sophisticated ambience — where Italian heritage meets Hong Kong’s metropolitan rhythm. The gallery wall of monochrome photography pays homage to the brand’s history, while the open layout and full-height glazing invite light and transparency throughout the café.
이탈리아 감성과 도시적 세련미가 어우러진 현대적인 카페 공간입니다.
상완 비즈니스 지구에 위치한 Caffè Diemme는 전통적인 에스프레소 문화와 미니멀한 디자인을 결합하여, 품격 있는 유럽식 분위기를 선사합니다.
화이트 대리석 카운터, 매트 블랙 스틸, 그리고 밝은 원목 마루가 조화를 이루며 차분하면서도 고급스러운 공간을 완성합니다.
흑백 사진으로 구성된 갤러리 월은 브랜드의 역사를 담고 있으며, 전면 유리 파사드는 개방감과 자연광을 극대화하여 따뜻한 카페 경험을 제공합니다.
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
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.
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.
Caffe Diemme
Sheung Wan
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