Alt Studios

For this former public convenience, we were set a brief to provide an alternative to the local grocery / delicatessen store.

Our proposal opens-up the modest floor area, offering a flexibility of related uses; curated general store, café, bar, eclectic events, pop-up street food, while retaining a passion for the provenance and celebration of the produce sold.

Having researched the yaoya (八百屋) – Japan’s greengrocer equivalent, a key finding was the subliminal power of the attractive and quality produce on display. Consequently, a restrained palette of materials and minimalist backdrops are applied – allowing products and activities to ‘pop’ within their surroundings.

A new transparent and inviting frontage, whereby diverse people and produce enhance the streetscape, emphasises the positive social atmosphere intended by the project. The brick pier reveals accommodate external bench seating and bespoke external food display fittings. The central glazed window accommodates a vertical bi-fold for opening during warm weather, further strengthening the buildings newly introduced active frontage.

A clear sightline to the rear counter enables easy access for customers on the move. For those wishing to sit back, enjoy company over a drink or food, there are several seating types to choose from that make efficient and effective use of the space.

To enhance the community aspect of our proposal, we collaborated with New York-based illustrator Ilya Milstein. We have long admired his work of beautifully depicting elements of everyday life, and his representational style perfectly captures in the hero image the positive social atmosphere we intend for the project.