NEWGROUND

We were appointed to design and deliver the new Oxford location for NewGround - a B Corp coffee retailer who provide work and training opportunities for ex-offenders across the UK, giving some of the most overlooked people in society a new beginning.

Situated within the Grade II Listed St Michaels Mansions, owned by Jesus College Oxford, the site provides a historic backdrop for the forward-thinking brand, who are pushing the boundaries for coffee to go beyond the cup.

The overall concept for the café draws on NewGround’s mission statement, ‘expertly crafted coffee meets social responsibility’, with proposals that include a limited palette of colours with textural variations, and a design approach that is centred on celebrating the existing features of the unit.

The existing timber floorboards will be carefully restored, and white-washed, with reclaimed timber used to fill any gaps. Limewash paint to the walls will create a breathable surface that is protected by the natural properties of the paint and subtle materials and colour variations to the black and white palette will distinguish different elements and zones. Where exposed, all existing features are retained and celebrated, speaking to the brand’s commitment to honesty and transparency.

Paired back bench seating bounds the edges of the unit to face the customer inward, drawing their focus to the alchemy of coffee making and its performative nature, referencing the 17th century Coffee House. This immersive experience is foregrounded by two monolithic black coffee bars which act as stages, drawing the focus toward excellence and transparency of delivery.

Lighting features celebrate the natural height of the unit and in the basement, a white-box approach allows the space to be 'taken over' or 'activated' by other partnering organisations and artists. Bespoke retail racking and modular seating supports the function of the space as a bottle shop in the day and wine bar in the evening.

New discrete fascia signage and vinyl applications to the shopfront marry the coffee retailers modern brand identity with the existing listed features on the row. Vinyl applications carefully marry with the interior and frame views into the café forum.

Tags: Commercial, Community