Write it down,

Banacado Café

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Hello, design junkies!

It's no secret that here at Design Hunger, we simply can't get enough of the Banacado Café — a coffee shop/restaurant that opened earlier this summer in the lively area of Vasastan, Stockholm. ASKA architects gave the brand a physical identity by transforming its 70 m2 area into a vibrant dreamscape.

This café certainly stands out within the Stockholm scene thanks to its bold, southern vibe with the language of shelves, arches, and the checkerboard-painted floor. But it doesn't stop here, a generous amount of light immediately transports you into an exotic atmosphere. Large mirrors cut into shape and materials such as tiles, terrazzo, and stainless steel add a taste of luxury to this Cuban aesthetic.

The menu in combination with the space gives you international flavors such as all-day breakfast, which is usually found in cities like London or New York.

This place feels like a journey from the moment you walk in!

Photographer: Mikael Lundblad

Upon entering the space, you are enveloped by a pale yellow light, resembling the effect of a sepia lens, making you a part of an old movie. The architects looked for inspiration within the film industry to create this vintage cinema feeling.

The concept of an environment where ”time stands still” is further enhanced by the vintage details you can’t ignore, such as the lp-player and the Polaroid wall that take your mind to the past.

Photographer: Mikael Lundblad

The firm's love for cross-disciplinary fields like object design and art is also present. The striped handblown lamps, designed for this specific project by glass artist Ulla Gustafson, give a playful touch to the environment. While the impressionist motives from the painter Carl Palmé, highlight the poetic tone of the space.

For the concept to truly take off, the architectural duo put much effort into designing details and working over different scales and disciplines. The architects did both the graphic design and logotype as well as some of the furniture for the café. One of ASKA’s design pieces that stands out is the tables. The squared pattern of the top is made out of ochre tiles.