A new Italian coffee shop in Sydney has interiors by Alexander &Co that make the most of the industrial character of the building with the addition of bespoke design, retro furnishings, and recycled and recyclable materials.
The Genovese Coffee House began when Alfio Genovese opened his first coffee shop in Lygon Street, Melbourne in 1970. Now, third-generation family member Adam Genovese has opened the brand’s first Sydney location and is keeping the tradition alive with a space dedicated to Italian coffee.
This was the starting point for the interior design by Alexander &Co: “Ideas surrounding Genovese’s story of origin, family roots, ecological and cultural visions of the future all influence the shapes, materials, and planning of the space,” reads the design statement.
For a cafe that predominantly sells really good coffee, the space is huge. In the centre is the cafe counter, an Italian espresso bar lined with industrial coffee machines and makers. The front glass vestibule juts into the cafe, dividing the rest of the interior into two sections – the main seating area to one side, and a training area with communal dining to the other.
When it came to choosing the materials for the project, Alexander &Co chose with minimising ecological impacts in mind. To this end, harvested bricks, reclaimed timber joinery and repurposed bathroom sinks sit alongside newer products selected for their green credentials, like Durra Panel, a 100% recyclable and biodegradable insulation panel.
“These sustainable elements not only complement the existing warehouse base materials of exposed heritage brickwork and timber trusses, but work to hero its existing age, patina and imperfections as part of the final design.”
Floor-to-ceiling linen curtains and chunky terrazzo add to the mix, while the cafe furniture is a traditional wooden design with bentwood chairs. Everywhere you look there are more details to be found, including the ghost of a table embedded in the espresso bar bench, decorative brickwork, a brick arch above a passageway, a terracotta paint stripe near the ceiling, custom signage inside and out, curves to walls and beautifully-placed objects on shelves. All-in-all a beautiful place to relax and a must-visit for coffee lovers.
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