We’re big believers in how the interior design of a restaurant space should complement the cuisine, which is why Ninety Nine Pancakes’ funky, cute, and vibrant colour palette makes for the perfect spot to enjoy scrumptious, syrupy pancakes.

Ninety Nine Pancakes is a bright and inviting 38 sqm. dessert store, designed by the team at Corso Interior Architecture. The colourful concept was devised from the client’s passion for sweets while honouring the integrity of the historical building. The sweet selection of desserts on offer has been translated into a fun and inviting atmosphere for like-minded sweet-tooths, promoting sugar, syrup and joy.

This colourful and playful dessert shop can be found in Hawthorn, the sweet-inspired colour palette merged with the historical building to bring vibrancy to the street while respecting the decorative elements of the Victorian-style era facade.

The pastel purple shopfront sits within the major restaurant and retail district of Glenferrie Road, an iconic and historical location for local eateries and shopping establishments in the area. Glenferrie Road first welcomed retailers in the ye olde 1880s, and since then has grown to the hustle and bustle that it is today.

The history of the building is displayed as subtle arches along the shopfront and decorative Victoria-era motifs have been translated into new interior features; referenced with architraves, mouldings, picture rails, and the Bentwood style chairs, all finished in bold colours. The interior emphasizes a collaboration of these vibrant yellow, pink and purple paints splashed onto walls, joinery and furniture, the colours being drawn together with the allure of creamy penny-round tiles and yummy terrazzo countertops.

A number of design elements connect the interior to the exterior – the large mural on the side of the building depicting syrup-soaked waffles and pancake stacks being thoroughly enjoyed by everyone; from cyclists to bees. The street-facing servery window allows a convenient on-the-go service, while the arches above are repeated within the space to connect the new interior forms with the original building. On entry to the linear-shaped space, the focal point of the room is the long and flowing countertop – joining the surface from service into seating.

One of the key challenges of designing in this compact space was the long, rectangular space. To maximize the space, the team decided to build a long countertop as a multi-use surface, with extended seating at the end of the counter. Along the wall, pop-up tab tables created intimate seating for guests and creatively arranged the room to work with the linear shape of the store.

Just because the design looks as if it’s coated in sugar doesn’t mean it’s not good for you and the environment. In fact, the design team utilized materials that are environmentally conscious. Timbers used in the space hold Global GreenTag and Chain of Custody Certification and are Forest Stewardship Council approved. Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paints have been applied, minimizing indoor air pollution. The terrazzo used on the countertop also holds a Global GreenTag Certificate and is made from 75% post-industrial waste materials from the manufacturing process of marble, granite, and other natural stone.

Another bonus of this new design tailored for the pandemic and post-pandemic era is the serving window. Not only does it allow for continued service despite the numerous lock-downs cities have been through in the past 2 years, but it also promotes natural ventilation in the space which was previously enclosed.

Ninety Nine Pancakes is a compact space that has all the right ingredients for success — a historic story, bold new design, natural ventilation and environmentally-friendly inputs.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Team: Corso Interior Architecture

Project Size: 40 m2

Completion Date: 2021

Building Levels: 1

Photography: Elizabeth Schiavello