Bearandbunny transforms Dutch factory into cafe
Bearandbunny has transformed a disused factory in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, into Grand Cafe Usine - a café with contemporary interior that fits flawlessly in the structure and characteristics of the monumental building.
The Dutch design firm Bearandbunny was responsible for the total concept and design of the restaurant, including the naming and logo. Grand Cafe Usine now occupies the ground floor of the disused factory where the first light bulbs for Philips were produced.
Bearandbunny tried to develop an overall concept where the menu, food, service, opening hours, the graphic language, and the interior should all blend together, without seeming to be monotonous. The firm has visualized the prospective customers and has created different zones in the restaurant; entrance, kitchen, bar, cafe, brasserie, restaurant, function room, children’s corner, shop, smoking area, office, toilets, storage and the terrace.
In order for the space to have a good communication link with the existing architectural language, a large entrance is incorporated into the design. This has enabled a strong sense of atmosphere in the interior. Big windows featured throughout the facility exemplify the architectural aspects of the building and guarantee a strong focus toward the outside. The firm has been successful in blending the new and old elements in a natural way.
The former Philips light tower’s bare concrete walls and tiled floors outline the background to a collection of different lamps, with sprawling flexes wound around metal frames that divide the space.
Bearandbunny was founded by Design Academy Eindhoven graduates John Maatman and Carlijn Kriekaard.
