design
ON THE WALL
An innovative interior design by nemaworkshop helps grow New York City coffee brand d’espresso
By Danine Alati Photography by David Joseph
READING
When Eugene Kagansky, owner of d’espresso on New York’s Lower East Side, commissioned nemaworkshop to design the second outpost of his new coffeehouse brand, the design firm founder Anurag Nema turned the concept of the typical coffee shop in its ear—literally. Inspired by the nearby New York Public Libra , Nema developed a libra theme for the 420-sq.- . space that backs up to Grand Central Station. But he added a twist: he flipped the design on its side, 90 degrees clockwise. “We wanted to take a simple idea and go all the way with it. I took something familiar and considered how to do something different,” Nema explains. “There is no layering of ideas; it is just ve simple—in materials and colors—but it offers elements of surprise.” Considering its tiny footprint, this coffee shop really packs a punch. The basic palette creates optimal impact simply by turning the design on its side. Upon ent , the “floor” is the wall to the
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contract november/december 2010
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - November/December 2010