08
Jan

Flipboard Cafe

Flipboard Cafe is an obscure little space created specifically to cater to the businesses it nestles between and it is full of interest through the use of rectangular shapes and recycled materials.

Flipboard Café coffee machine
Flipboard Café coffee machine

As you enter Flipboard Café you are greeted by fold out tables with stools.  Moving toward the focal point, the coffee making machine, the ceiling becomes diagonal and it feels like you might hit your head.  Due to its small size, both in height and width, every inch of this space is used to fulfil its purpose, which makes the space feel a bit tight.

Flipboard Café book binder stools
Flipboard Café book binder stools

The predominant line is horizontal showcased by the wire balustrades, the 3 sets of stairs (which also create a clear diagonal line), wood panels and the recycled books that have been cleverly used to create the seat on the stools on the mid level.

Flipboard Café red stools
Flipboard Café red stools

Minimal colour is visible in this space to maintain the focus on the materials. Predominantly a light wood has been used which is complemented by silver wire and metal. However, red stools and blue and red crockery make a statement.

The features of this space are the recycled materials and industrial textures such was wood, glass, metal and wire.

There is an acoustic texture also found in the mellow music playing which adds another point of interest in this small space.  Natural light has been put to good use with wide glass folding windows that make the space seem bigger than it is and the industrial style incandescent light globes emit a yellow glow which works well with the wood tones.

Due to the repetition of materials there is an easy flow in this space but the proportion and scale perhaps doesn’t suit the purpose, it’s more a coffee bar than a sit down chew the fat kind of cafe.

I also feel there is competition for the emphasis of the space, it is the coffee machine or the materials?

The Flipboard Cafe is certainly impressive but I feel it’s more a show case of the use of recycled materials and the creative configuration of a small narrow space rather than a cool, comfortable space to sit in and have a coffee. Check it out and tell me what you think!