nestled in the heart of Montmartre, Simple Coffee is a Parisian café that embodies a unique industrial-chic aesthetic. Designed by local firm Mur Mur Architects, the single-room oasis features bespoke furnishings crafted from sleek stainless steel. These pieces are the stars of the show, resembling graceful, half-moon shaped alcoves that wrap around the perimeter of the space, each one furnished with a petite matching metal table. These cozy nooks evoke a sense of intimacy, inviting patrons to relax and linger over their coffee.
The inspiration behind this distinctive design came from the architectural beauty of industrial silos. “Benoît Huen and Lucie Rosenblatt of Mur Mur Architects took cues from silos – tubular industrial structures that house bulk materials such as grain or coal,” explains the project description. The abstract shapes and utilitarian references create a thought-provoking contrast with the sleek elegance of the café environment, resulting in a space that is both functional and visually captivating.
This Parisian-inspired cafe boasts a unique and inviting ambiance thanks to its innovative design. Creating cozy and intimate spaces,the architect has employed rounded furniture that echoes the shapes of grain silos.”We chose this shape to create deep, intimate and comfortable alcoves in which one can curl up,” explains studio co-founder Huen.
Adding to the captivating atmosphere are operable, satellite-dish-like steel discs atop each alcove. These ingenious fixtures can be angled to modulate the glow of thin neon strips suspended from the ceiling, a intentional nod to the warm, inviting atmosphere of traditional Parisian cafes.
“each visitor can direct the light and create their own atmosphere,” Huen notes.
Further enhancing the spatial experience are geometric pillars clad in floor-to-ceiling mirrors, creating a sense of light and spaciousness. This mirrored interplay amplifies the metallic interior, contributing to the cafe’s distinctly modern and stylish aesthetic. The space also features a striking half-moon-shaped stainless-steel counter, adding another layer of visual interest and functionality to the overall design.
Mono-Material Metal Furniture: A Striking Trend at Milan Design Week
Table of Contents
- 1. Mono-Material Metal Furniture: A Striking Trend at Milan Design Week
- 2. What materials did Mur Mur Architects use to create the unique, industrial-chic aesthetic of Simple Coffee?
- 3. Simple Coffee: Where Industrial Chic Meets Parisian Charm
- 4. Archyde: Thomas, Simple Coffee’s design is truly captivating. What inspired the unique, silo-inspired aesthetic?
- 5. Archyde: The half-moon shaped alcoves are particularly striking. Can you tell us more about the design choices behind them?
- 6. Archyde: The mirrored pillars add a sense of spaciousness. Was this a purposeful choice?
- 7. Archyde: Simple Coffee seamlessly blends into the Montmartre neighborhood.Was maintaining the cafe’s unassuming storefront notable?
- 8. Archyde: Looking ahead, what trends in cafe design excite you?
Milan Design Week 2024 showcased a captivating trend: furniture crafted entirely from metal. Designers explored the versatility and possibilities of this singular material, creating pieces that are both functional and visually striking.These mono-material metal designs challenged traditional notions of furniture construction,demonstrating the beauty and strength inherent in this industrial material.
Thomas Huen, a designer whose work embodies this trend, commented on the intentionality behind his designs. He explained, “The counter was intentionally backed up against the storefront so that the activity is visible from the street and the tables and chairs were positioned against the back walls for more privacy.”
Nestled within the charming Montmartre district of Paris, Simple Coffee stands as a testament to thoughtful design. Architects deliberately maintained the cafe’s unassuming white storefront, allowing it to seamlessly blend into the neighborhood’s aesthetic. This deliberate choice makes the interior, brimming with unique details, all the more striking.
A graceful spiral staircase connects the main cafe space to the bustling basement kitchen, adding a touch of architectural elegance to the functional flow.
Simple Coffee joins a growing number of thoughtfully curated cafes that are redefining Parisian coffee culture.Recently, Claves studio transformed Le Cornichon into a captivating retro space, drawing inspiration from classic parisian bistros. Meanwhile, Uchronia breathed life into Cafe shin, celebrating the vibrant coffee scene of Seoul. each space reflects a distinct personality, contributing to the evolving landscape of Parisian cafe experiences.
Photography: Yvan Moreau.
What materials did Mur Mur Architects use to create the unique, industrial-chic aesthetic of Simple Coffee?
Simple Coffee: Where Industrial Chic Meets Parisian Charm
Nestled in the heart of Montmartre, Simple Coffee is a Parisian café that embodies a unique industrial-chic aesthetic. Designed by local firm Mur Mur Architects,the single-room oasis features bespoke furnishings crafted from sleek stainless steel. These pieces are the stars of the show, resembling graceful, half-moon shaped alcoves that wrap around the perimeter of the space, each one furnished with a petite matching metal table. these cozy nooks evoke a sense of intimacy, inviting patrons to linger over their coffee.
We spoke with Thomas Huen, co-founder of Mur Mur Architects, to delve deeper into the inspiration behind this distinctive design.
Archyde: Thomas, Simple Coffee’s design is truly captivating. What inspired the unique, silo-inspired aesthetic?
Thomas Huen: Benoît and I drew inspiration from industrial silos—those tubular structures that house bulk materials. we wanted to capture the abstract shapes and utilitarian references of these structures, juxtaposing them with the sleek elegance of a Parisian café. We felt this contrast created a space that was both functional and visually captivating.
Archyde: The half-moon shaped alcoves are particularly striking. Can you tell us more about the design choices behind them?
Thomas Huen: We chose this shape to create deep, intimate, and agreeable alcoves. We wanted patrons to feel cocooned and relaxed, almost as if they were tucked away in a private nook. Each alcove features an operable, satellite-dish-like steel disc atop it. These ingenious fixtures can be angled to modulate the glow of thin neon strips suspended from the ceiling,creating a warm,inviting atmosphere reminiscent of customary Parisian cafes.
Archyde: The mirrored pillars add a sense of spaciousness. Was this a purposeful choice?
Thomas Huen: Absolutely. We wanted to amplify the metallic interior and create a sense of lightness and openness. The mirrored pillars reflect light throughout the space, making it feel larger and airier.
Archyde: Simple Coffee seamlessly blends into the Montmartre neighborhood.Was maintaining the cafe’s unassuming storefront notable?
Thomas Huen: Yes, we wanted Simple Coffee to feel like a natural extension of the neighborhood. The unassuming storefront allows the interior, with its unique details, to truly shine.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what trends in cafe design excite you?
Thomas huen: I’m excited to see continued experimentation with materials and forms. Creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, while also fostering a sense of community, is what truly drives me.
Photography: Yvan Moreau.
