Aroma Roastery is a fitout of an 80 sqm space into a sophisticated, artisanal coffee shop in the heart of Shuwaikh, Kuwait. Completed by Studio Nama, the task was not only to make the most of a small space divided over a ground level of a little mezzanine area—but to do so in the spirit of inviting people in, drawn by the aroma of roasted coffee beans, before they found themselves nestled in an aspiration space where intimate conversations or a moment of quiet could happen.

To begin with, this space mirrors what the city of Shuwaikh is in essence. A seaside district famous for its industrial port, the city is a gateway for local and international business. In parallel, this coffee shop is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the area—while also offering a retreat that’s both relaxing and energizing. Being limited by the site’s size and condition, the driving design concept was to amplify the sense of space before indulging the senses, just as coffee would. 

To widen the space, the geometry of the façade was extended outdoors with discrete planters— allowing coffee lovers to sit along its length as they took their sips, with full-length windows keeping them connected to the stage of coffee’s preparation. With plenty of natural light flooding in, visitors are drawn inwards to the linear coffee bar that aligns with the process of anticipating their coffee order prepared by the barista. The seating was designed to offer as much room as possible, while feeling comfortable for those who wished to stay beyond their first cup. And for those wanting to feel nestled in, the tucked away space on the upper level was spread with a long communal table for quiet study or conversation.

To indulge the senses, the cafe’s color palette drew inspiration from the different shades of coffee beans—merging the warmth of solid woods with the shine and reflectivity of stainless steel to create a contrast between the tactility of materials. For wood, oak and walnut were used for furniture pieces, while reserving the darkest wood as paneling for the back wall housing the roasting room, the WC, and what covered any pipework and servicing. For the floor, resin-bound gravel was experimented with to mimic the look of a sandy beach, whose beiges continued to the textured, stucco-finished walls above.