A trip to a museum or gallery is one of the most wonderful ways to experience some culture. During the visit though, a stop at the cafe is a really good idea. It gives you a chance to sit, unwind, and reflect. It is also fantastic if you want to socialise. We want to have a closer look here to see how cafes can enhance museums and galleries, ensuring people have better experiences. Then, if you want to design a stunning piece of commercial architecture, you can talk to us.
Meaningful spaces
Cafes are significant parts of galleries and museums today because they add a new level to the sensory experience. They also offer the opportunity for interaction and reflection. Most importantly, they ensure experiences don’t just end with people walking out of the door; instead, they have the chance to discuss and look back on what they have seen.
From an architectural perspective, cafes can be a key feature of the property. The design could blend seamlessly with the rest of the property, extending the concept. This can keep visitors immersed and forge a deeper connection. Or, they can be stylistically different to provide a break and contrast.
Three approaches
Typically, there are three different options for designing cafes in museums and galleries. It is important to choose the right one if you want the best results for the commercial architecture.
Firstly, you can fully integrate the cafe into the building. This is a very popular option today, especially with new, modern properties. What you do here is continue the theme from the rest of the museum or gallery, including the architectural concept, use of materials, lighting, and other key details. Ultimately, what you do is ensure unity so visiting the cafe doesn’t break the immersion. It makes the whole visit smoother and more engaging.
Sometimes though, it is impossible to design a cafe to fit the architectural language of the building. Many galleries and museums are in historical buildings, so the only solution is to create a contrast with a modern intervention. While you can’t maintain immersion here, you can take advantage of the contrast. It can add layers and highlight the history and context. Most important from a conversation perspective, you can design the cafe so it is possible to revert the space to an authentic original state if necessary.
Finally, you can design cafes to feel completely separate. The goal is to give them a completely unique identity, ensuring they don’t work just to blend in or contrast with the rest of the property. A really good idea is to ensure the cafes connect with public spaces like plazas. It helps them act as independent spaces, inviting people to come in just to visit the cafe rather than the gallery or museum itself.
Do you want some help with commercial architecture?
Galleries and museums are fantastic for celebrating culture and learning. They get millions of visitors every single month. Creating wonderful cafe spaces within them is a smart idea, whether the goal is to enhance the experience or bring in more revenue.
If you need some help to design the perfect commercial architecture, whether it is a full building or individual spaces like a cafe, you can rely on us. We can work with any kind of brief and ensure you achieve your goals. Most importantly, whatever you have in mind, we’ll do all we can so visitors have wonderful experiences.
Contact us today if you want to get started on a project.