Nestled in the vibrant heart of Oakland, The Caffè presents a fresh chapter for the iconic Bay Area brand, Mr. Espresso.

This establishment is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a celebration of community and the beloved Italian ritual of enjoying a “pausa”—a pause with espresso at the bar, not just a quick stop but a meaningful experience shared among friends and neighbours.

At the core of The Caffè’s design is the communal aspect of the Italian coffee culture, where espresso is savoured while standing at the bar, engaging with others rather than sitting secluded at a table. The bar is ingeniously designed as an island, providing 360-degree access and functioning as a communal table where patrons can gather, reflecting a democratic and open environment. This unique setup ensures that every visit offers a multitude of experiences, from ordering to savouring the rich brew, all while interacting within the lively café space.

The interior of The Caffè is a masterful blend of minimalism and contrast, a theme deeply rooted in Italian aesthetic principles, particularly “chiaroscuro”—the interplay of light and shadow. Behind the bar, hand-polished copper contrasts magnificently with the organic textures of wood and stone. This juxtaposition of materials adds depth and richness to the design, embodying the Italian appreciation for subtle yet impactful details.

A striking feature of the café is the overhead wooden sculptural form, crafted from 272 slats formed from 528 pieces of birch plywood. Each slat, CNC’d for precision, is roughly 12 feet long, 2 inches wide, tapering to ¾ inches, and weighs about two pounds. This intricate sculpture highlights the verticality of the space, providing both monumentality and intimacy. The sculpture transitions from an object viewed from the outside to a space once underneath, balancing airy lightness (chiaro) and solid density (oscuro). Though modern in shape and fabrication, the sculpture pays homage to the domes and arcades of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, adding a historical layer to the contemporary design.

The creation of the café’s wooden sculpture was a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and innovative thinking. Prototypes were crafted and tested at the architect’s office. The final slats, each CNC’d for precision, were assembled, glued, and stained by the architects at the client’s warehouse. The team experimented with various staining processes until they achieved the perfect finish using Ethiopian Shantawene coffee, which was brewed strong and wet applied. The slats were then hand-rubbed with beeswax, resulting in a unique and environmentally friendly finish.

The heart of the café is the bar, crafted from slabs of a single Valley Oak tree that fell in 2008 south of Chico. This wood, reworked by artisan Evan Shively at Arborica, highlights the local heritage and the sustainability ethos of the café. It’s a functional piece and a statement of art celebrating natural materials’ inherent beauty and richness. Complementing this is the Calacatta marble ledge that wraps the perimeter of the café, adding a touch of Italian luxury to the space.

The Caffè by Mr. Espresso is a space where every element is thoughtfully chosen to enhance the communal and reflective experience of enjoying coffee. It shows how a space can nourish the individual spirit and community connections to realize community-centric design.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project

Caffé by Mr. Espresso | Instagram

jones | haydu Design Team

Hulett Jones, Principal

Paul Haydu, Principal

Grace Leung, Project Architect and Project Manager

Project Team

Interior Design: jones | haydu | Instagram

Contractor: Northern Sun Associates

MEP Engineer: Acies

Graphic design (signage): Bootjack design

Ceiling and wall sculpture, menu board: jones | haydu

Photography

Matthew Millman