Manouche is a craft bakery and bistro that pays homage to the traditional bakeries and bistro restaurants of Paris. The client’s brief was for a design that re-created the feel and ambience of a classic French bistro, with an element of finesse that echoed their dynamic and creative menu. The ethos behind the brand is food that “is hand-crafted from the highest quality ingredients and mastery of French and European techniques.” The interior design seeks to strengthen the brand’s identity with an elegant blend of rustic and art décor design, implemented through the choice of materials, details and finish.

The concept called for a subtle division of space, so that both the bakery and bistro had stand-alone strength during their differing operational hours. The design evolved through sequentially layering these design parameters with the spatial constraints of the site. The initial space was skewed with an irregular column grid constraining layout options, whilst three entrances fixed the zones of circulation.

The bistro and bakery kitchens were divided into two, with a common and central service pass for ease of operations. Nested spaces were created in-between the columns and a series of fixed banquettes provided more comfortable seating and a subtle division between the bakery and bistro area. Furthermore, they also began to delineate as a series of bulkheads, undulating and interweaving the columns in order to conceal the HVAC system. The lower headroom below these bulkheads complimented the banquette seating by providing the ideal feel for intimate gathering and eating. The bulkhead above these areas became design features, treated with gold-leaf or curved wood in order to further elevate these intimate spaces.

Despite the low internal headroom, a shallow ceiling system of treated walnut panels, integrated with complimentary acoustic tempering and lighting was designed. The dark wood echoes the early 1900 bistro’s in Paris.

American walnut was the main choice of wood species for the entire joinery package due to is shimmering vine and dark, chocolate-like color and warmth. Maroon leather, brass, marble and beige tiles were added to compliment the wood and retain a feel of intimacy and warmth.

The remaining seating is comprised from the iconic French bistro chairs and tables made from wood or marble and brass. Sizes of tables and comfort of chairs differ between the bakery and bistro areas to distinguish between the slower pace of bistro dining and faster turnover of bakery clientele. Care was taken with the furniture design to allow flexibility to create different formation of tables.

The main entrance was designed to juxtapose its surroundings, with wood cornices and paneling that pay homage to the traditional bistros and bakeries of Paris. The façade design included the provision of a window display in order to house Manouche’s impressive and seasonal chocolate and cake craft. Solid American walnut panels that were milled, carved, sanded and varnished to resemble melted chocolate provides a backdrop to these displays and echoes the craft behind the food.

The remaining façade is comprised from floor to ceiling glazed apertures to maximize the natural light filtering into the space. Artificial lighting features a careful balance of subtle, functional and feature lighting that further enhances both product, spatial quality and the French bistro theme.

Throughout the space, the design, furniture, lighting and materials echo not only the classic French Bistro, but the hand-crafted, creative and innovative work of these talented chefs. Manouche blurs the boundaries between food and art and so to the design has strived to take their food as a material for artistic production.