Primary Projects + Chris Johnson
A Detroit bar concealed by a coffee shop
For this underground, speakeasy-style bar in Detroit, we used the motifs of early twentieth century banking as a nod to the space’s past as a bank. The teller enclosures are transformed into a tiered, arcade-like backbar for displaying bottles. Throughout the space, the material palette nods to the colors of money: a gold backbar, money green velour banquette seats, and metallic fixtures.
The entry to the bar is concealed behind a fully-operational coffee shop. We selected a warm white palette for the coffee area to create contrast and heighten the drama of the entry into the bar.
The idea of the coffee shop, which we brought to the project, provides the client with a unique offering to attract customers, and an additional eight hours of revenue, daily.
The entry to the bar is concealed behind a fully-operational coffee shop. We selected a warm white palette for the coffee area to create contrast and heighten the drama of the entry into the bar.
The idea of the coffee shop, which we brought to the project, provides the client with a unique offering to attract customers, and an additional eight hours of revenue, daily.
The coffee shop is light & airy...
...while the speakeasy is dark & moody
Can you see the TVs we integrated into the back bar? No? Good, that was the point! (Photo: Rebecca Simonov)
The backbar was inspired by early 20th Century bank teller stations
From the vault to the lounge. The banquettes’ color is meant to evoke the color of money (Photo: Rebecca Simonov)
A last minute koala graphic we designed for Coffee Down Under to dress up that existing pipe has become an Instagram sensation (Photo: Tarun Kajeepeta)
Floor Plan
Client
Tarun KajeepetaTimeline
2019-2020Status
BuiltLocation
607 Shelby StreetDetroit, MI 48226
Services
Interior DesignFurniture Selection
Branding
Programming
Environmental Graphics
Credits
MA Engineering, MEP Engineer
Great Lakes Culinary Designs,
Kitchen Consultant
CIR Group,
General Contractor
Fillmore Building & Design,
Backbar Fabrication
Pfeiffer Custom Furnishings,
Millwork
Jason Keen + Co,
Photography
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