SA Building Review Volume 13 - 2025 | Page 60

PROJECT Indigen Architects

A new era of coffee culture

When Plato Coffee, a proudly South African brand, sought to curate a distinctive aesthetic footprint in 2021, they turned to the creative expertise of Indigen Architects.
Tasked with shaping a brand experience unlike any other, Indigen Architects began by crafting a unique identity that would resonate across the South African retail landscape. In just two years, Plato Coffee rapidly expanded to over 40 locations nationwide.
A dreamlike coffee experience
The journey began with the establishment of a brand identity that would elevate the everyday coffee run into something transcendent. Indigen Architects envisioned a clean, luminescent space that offered more than just coffee โ€“ it aimed to provide a dreamlike experience. Drawing inspiration from the design principle ofโ€œ white space,โ€ each Plato Coffee location was conceived as a serene environment, a blank canvas where the focus is on creating the perfect beverage. The architectural identity of the brand is rooted in this ethereal void, which is not merely an empty space, but a space designed to inspire clarity, calm and focus.
The luminescence of the space, from carefully considered lighting to a minimalist approach, ensures that every visit offers a sensory journey. The aim was to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, allowing customers to sit back, relax, and immerse themselves fully in the experience of enjoying their coffee.
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