Project Overview
Located in the new Manawa Bay Shopping Centre, Songbird Café was designed to create a relaxed yet functional environment within the mall. Having worked with the client for many years on several projects, we were tasked with designing a café that felt comfortable and aligned with the mall’s overall atmosphere, all while working within a tight budget and timeframe.
The Challenge
The design needed to balance space for a large kitchen capable of preparing everything from breakfasts to evening meals, while ensuring plenty of room for seating. The café had to be high quality, built with durable materials to ensure longevity. The offering included both cabinet food and freshly cooked dishes, along with a liquor license, all of which had to be seamlessly incorporated into the design. Additionally, the open ceiling and exposed ducting and pipework contributed to the café’s relaxed, industrial vibe.
Our Solution
We designed and built the café with an open, inviting atmosphere, using the exposed features as part of the charm. To break up the industrial look, we constructed frames in the ceiling space to hang plants, enhancing the relaxed feel. The project was completed on time, and Songbird Café opened alongside the Mall’s grand opening, ready to welcome its first customers.
