Kafe Rocks

American writer, filmmaker, philosopher and teacher, Susan Sontag once said ‘A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world.

The same can be said of great design.

Effective design is brought to life if you undertake a journey of discovery. Listening, observing and absorbing the real needs of the client. How they currently operate and how their new space needs to enhance their offering. Essentially, infusing space with a story that evokes the right reaction from the user.

Over a three-day workshop held at the Golden Sands Resort in Malta in 2019, we were able to meet and interact with Kafe Rocks representatives from around the world. It was an opportunity to enjoy a brief tangible touch point with this otherwise predominately virtual brand. Armed with valuable insight about their needs and their vision for this new ‘home away from home’, we started to feel what employees were looking for from a ‘head office’.

The space needed to be conducive to writers, thinkers and creatives. People who, by their own nature and that of the brand, were used to working from home and at varying hours of the day. Who needed relative silence and quiet areas to focus in. At the same time, they also needed occasional meetings and conference rooms where collaboration was key.

Re-interpreting existing architecture is never an easy feat to accomplish. You need to be respectful of the layout but find ways in which to creatively accommodate your client’s needs. Sketch books in hand, we explored the space understanding what modifications could be made that followed the landlord’s wishes and the rental contract, but still infused the building with the Kafe Rocks brand.

As the house wasn’t new, we needed to upgrade the electrical and plumbing system, catering for this in our proposals and in the project timeframe. From replacing AC units and rewiring the electrics to updating outdated water pipes, we worked with our team to ensure the core of the house was functioning properly and could service
our client’s needs. We also identified areas where mould was an issue, treating it accordingly and in these areas lining the room with gypsum placed approximately 5-10cm away from the wall – in effect allowing the stone to breath.

Given most Kafe Rocks staff were writers, a library themed workspace fit snuggly into the brand concept. On the ground floor a room previously used as a large living/dining area, located just to the right of the main entrance was large enough to cater for several desks. We split the room in two, designing an archway which formed part of the library concept and clad these walls with corkboard which gave staff the option to place prints, photographs and other items and also helped to reduce noise levels.

Against the back wall which ran across both rooms we had a door and a window which we wanted to maximise in our designs. The solution was floor to ceiling and edge-to-edge custom designed shelving, in line with a traditional library, but at the points where the window and door were located, we avoided backing to the shelves. This helped infuse the room with natural light, retain the library concept and offered the staff the option to enjoy views to the outside. Smart blinds reduced daylight glare, which could be raised when preferred.

For contrast we opted for dark ceilings which counterbalanced the whitewashed shelving and parquet wood flooring. We designed and custom made a square shaped light profile for each room which provided balanced lighting without the need for standard soffit office lighting. Most of the desks were fixed into place, but we also installed several mechanical desks which could be raised for people who wanted to stretch their legs whilst still working.

Back into the main entrance we continued with the same parquet flooring for consistency and added small movable waiting area stools and also designated an area under the main staircase to serve as a small cloakroom storage area.

Respecting the contract with the landlord, we couldn’t make any alterations to the existing staircase. Instead we worked with Kafe Rock’s brand agency and agreed to place a large format print on the wall on the middle landing, adding a touch of colour and messaging to the space.

Upstairs we transformed an existing room into a private board room. The location allowed for meetings to be left undisturbed by movement amongst the staff on the ground floor. Using the brand’s black and red colour scheme we chose a black wood desk which we brought to life with the popping colour of bright red chairs. Custom designed storage in the same wood as the desk against one wall helped the room remain clutter free and a large format 3D print of the company’s logo and tagline against one wall introduced a corporate and professional feel into the space.

The landlord had recently refurbished one of the bedrooms and en-suite bathroom. This was ideal for our client as they often had visits from overseas staff members who might have a late/early flight to catch back home and would need a place to stay.

Should the library be full or inaccessible, we needed to cater for a separate room that people could also work in or that could easily hold smaller brainstorming and strategy sessions. We selected the remaining room upstairs for this purpose and included three more workstations, two of which were mechanical and could be raised. We brought in elements of the library downstairs by building two custom designed archways with shelving for storage.

Lockable cupboards and a space for a printer helped make the room self-sufficient. A relatively large outdoor balcony provided an additional area for small meetings, held against a backdrop of the pool and garden underneath. Bearing in mind that the company’s finance department met in person every quarter, this room gave them ample space in which to discuss, organise and plan their next activities with minimal disruption from staff or visitors. A little touch that we included was a catering trolly which could be filled with food such as fruit bowls and pastries, always helpful when long meetings are scheduled.

The property features two garages. One which can be accessed from the main entrance and another from the other side of the corner house. Connecting the two, we redesigned another large room which we devoted to a more causal
meeting area. We created large, custom designed, floor to ceiling wooden shelving with space for a large wide screen TV in the centre against one wall. Ideal for video calls and online presentations. The room also serves as a chill out area for more casual discussions, with views of the garden and pool area. Staying true to the concept of a ‘working from home’ environment, the large sofa was perfect for staff to make themselves comfortable on for an intense writing session or curling up in the evening with a book for inspiration. The room also featured a fireplace,
which the owners loved and wanted to keep, especially as it added to the ‘homey’ feel of the room and is quite unusual for Malta. We integrated this fireplace into the custom joinery feature, as well as a snug and cosy corner seat for staff to enjoy.

This room joined with the first garage which was split in two. The first part, which could also be accessed via the main drive, was turned into the HR room. As a rule, HR requires both privacy and the ability to be locked when not occupied. This relatively small but attractive space provided us with a location that had its own entrance and could be fully secured.

The second part of the first garage we redesigned into the brand’s official communication room. This was a different concept to the library room, which was dedicated to a quiet space where focus was important. The idea was designing a space conducive to interaction between employees, be it brainstorming and conversation, playing music or taking calls. We introduced a set up allowing for 6 electric height adjustable workstations. The lighting for this room, like others that we modified, was still subdued, again avoiding the harshness of soffit lighting. To create this effect, we installed a dropped light profile directly over the desks, complimented with individual desk lights, creating a warm and welcoming ambience. Large, branded prints on one wall faced views of the pool through sliding doors on the opposite wall.

Accessed through a rear door inside the communications office, we turned the second garage into a breakout and activity area. Chill out spaces have become an integral part of office design as they help to relax employees, improve engagement and interaction, and also put the fun back into work. Very high ceilings gave the space a large, airy feel. We divided the room to serve multiple purposes. The first section was a games area with large comfortable bean bags, a TV screen and a branded print which incorporated the brands values in a gaming concept.

We introduced a private, sound proofed ‘phone-booth’ next to this, offering staff a location for confidential calls and meetings. For the final part of the room, we wanted an area dedicated to staff engagement and sports activities. We purchased a table- tennis table that could easily be folded and stored when unused. This gave our client the flexibility to use the space for its second purpose – as a yoga or keep-fit area. In fact, the owners now offer staff optional classes twice weekly. Healthy bodies lead to healthy minds – which when creativity is at play – is an absolute must.

To separate the feel of this chill out area from the rest of the property, our design included a micro cement floor, polished to perfection but still a little industrial in its appearance. Pendant lights compliment the whole feel of the Kafe Rocks building – soft, inviting but there to serve a function. This space then led out into the second drive, accessible from around the corner. Serving as an extension to this garage, this second drive was great for more outdoor activities weather permitting.

Whilst today this room served as a breakout area, it could easily and quickly be transformed into additional workspace should the team grow in the coming months and years.

Part of good design is both appreciation and respect for the beauty of what already exists. Change for the sake of change is not a design approach we like to adopt. Sometimes it’s about letting the natural and existing beauty continue to shine and serve its own little inspiration as it has done for years before. A stunning garden featuring local fauna and flora, traditional Maltese detailing and a nice sized pool were nestled at the back of the property. This was embraced on one side with an outdoor dining area with an existing top structure providing shelter from the
elements.

The pool and surrounding garden were so beautiful, we felt that leaving them untouched gave this new head office a touch of local heritage that could be appreciated and enjoyed by staff members from every country.

We did renovate two of the bathrooms in the property but as agreed with our client, the kitchen was left as is.

A brand that tells stories can develop ingenious ways of capturing stories as well.

Whilst the brand signage was handled by a third party, we discussed ways in which we could add some finishing touches to the interior design that really explored Kafe Rocks’ own story.

In the downstairs library staff were invited to leave mementos behind that were a source of inspiration to them. Once a week during a company-wide meeting, they would be invited to discuss a book, poem, artwork or piece of creativity that meant something to them and why. Aspects of these shared moments of inspiration would then be bought, printed and attached to the chalk board, walls or an ornament sourced with shared meaning placed on the library shelves. It was important to the management that the Kafe Rocks brand reflected the personalities and talent of its staff – space for the team to be themselves. The staff are also free to fill the library with books, magazines and articles they enjoyed for some shared creative inspiration.

This idea was enhanced further in the upstairs meeting room where, inside the custom arches we designed, every new staff member would be given a small budget to purchase something small that was a reflection of their character and placed inside. Kafe Rocks fully appreciated that it is the people that make the brand, and not the identity alone.

We introduced biophilic design, bringing nature into each workspace with both large and small planters – adding to the ‘homey’ feel of the space. Between the light wood floors, white-washed walls, touches of greenery and warm lighting, we developed an environment that worked in harmony with the Kafe Rocks concept. Warm, inviting, peaceful – exactly what a Kafe Rocks family member craved when visiting Malta.

Of course, what makes a house a home isn’t always just the design. It’s the existing character of the building, infused with the personalities of the people who dwell within. The detailing in this case was an extension of people telling their story for a brand that excels in writing narratives for companies across the globe.

Interior design for a workplace needs to boost productivity, focus, engagement and creativity. You need to think outside the box, especially when the box (or location) already has stipulations on structure and limitations on what we could update. We managed to avoid making any irreversible alterations, by focussing on the flooring, walls, finishing’s and designing a layout that performed functionally and aesthetically.

The project was impacted slightly by two separate delays. The first due to the Covid19 Pandemic and the second was waiting for various approvals from the landlord for some time. However, working with a dedicated team of
professionals, enabled us to deliver the project within a reasonable timeframe, only 2 months after the target date.

One of the most interesting aspects of this ‘Casa Bottega’ project wasn’t just the transformation of a residential property into a comfortable work environment with room for collaboration and fun. It was designing a space in which talented souls could create new stories for clients captured in words, images and strategy.

Kafe Rocks finally has its own ‘home’. This was a challenge we loved, for a brand we truly believe in.

Great content, as we learned to understand, was all about taking the reader on a journey they really wanted to be on. This was matched perfectly with our own ethos – space designed well, is space you really crave to be in.