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STUBBORN JOE

DATARAN PRIMA

STUBBORN JOE

A visual feast for creative minds – this is the core intent of Stubborn Joe Café. The idea of an unconventionally-designed café where individuals can share ideas and seek inspiration stems from its owner, an interior designer who has a propensity for experimenting with design possibilities in common spaces and everyday objects.

Breaking away from the run-of-the-mill model of a café, the design considerations here are inclined towards creative rather than commercial purposes.Its conspicuous frontage is created as an art installation of traditional wooden stools stacked on top of one another, which invites customers to “come in and have a seat”. This elemental yet abstract composition also lets natural daylight to flow effortlessly into the cafe. From here, customers walk through a rugged door with enamel tin mugs as handles. Inside, a mix-and-match of tables and seats are flanked by interesting visual displays on each wall.

On one side, wooden artist mannequins are lined up against a wall to pay homage to the old adage of “No man is an island” – an allusion to the café’s function as a space for social interactions amongst like-minded individuals. The opposite wall is covered with design blueprints and technical drawings of human ergonomics and anthropometrics. Two distinctive yet disparate floorings are selected – a colourful and classical pattern which celebrates the intricate artisanal craft of its artists, and a graphic herringbone pattern.

Throughout the café, plywood and metal are primarily used for the furniture to evoke a raw and authentic aesthetic ambiance without compromising on the practicality of dining requirements. Most of the tables and chairs can be mobilised to cater to larger groups of customers, or stored away to make room for events and functions.Custom-made fittings, including the shower head LED wall lighting, and upcycled items, such as the bicycle handlebar used as a door handle, combine function with points of visual interest.

The versatility of the space is a fitting representation of the overall identity of Stubborn Joe Café as an avenue for pushing conventions and at the same time answering to functional needs whenever necessary.

©2021 by DTIP. Design Tone Interior Practice

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