Café Olympia is a small and cosy café located between the Merivale Mall and Post Office. The café is constructed from repurposed shipping container, which has been transformed into a unique and eye-catching space. The exterior of the café is lined with raw Corten steel, creating a bold and industrial look that stands out in the surrounding area. Blackbutt timber decking is also used to create a natural warmth and balance to the area.

The interior of the café aims to carry the raw materials through in their refined forms, featuring raw steel linings that retain the industrial feel, while the soft shades of pink and terrazzo flooring add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space. The contrast of raw steel and refined finishes makes the space feel both edgy and sophisticated at the same time.

The project’s team worked to create a space that not only looks visually appealing but is also functional and practical due to the site constraints. The use of a shipping container as the primary building material allowed for a cost-effective and sustainable solution. The container was also easy to transport and install on-site post fitout, reducing the construction time and minimizing disruption to the surrounding area and public space.

The location of the 42.2m² site presented a unique challenge for the both the design and construction, as the site was very restrictive with limited space between the existing buildings of Merivale Mall and the Post Office. This narrow space made traditional construction methods difficult and required a creative solution to fit a new structure into the limited space. The use of a repurposed shipping container as the primary building element provided a practical solution for this challenge.

Partially fitting out the container before transport allowed the owner-builder to minimize on site construction time and limit the impact of construction activities on the surrounding buildings and businesses. The unique design features, including the folded raw steel linings and terrazzo flooring, where all chosen to fit the industrial aesthetic and for their ability to be pre-installed before the container was transported to the site.

The café’s design also includes thoughtful touches, such as large windows that allow natural light to flood into the space, creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere and a sense of ‘volume’ in a small space. The design of the café is also mindful of the need for a function and practical space, with ample counter space and seating that allows for comfortable customer flow without the need for free standing or floating tables.

The interior café space is a showcase of unique finishes that are utilised for both their aesthetic value as well as functional use without the additional need for free standing furniture elements. One of the standout features of the interior is the use of raw folded steel wall linings, which have been expertly folded to form internal shelving and a working tabletop for the interior bench seating. These elements not only provide ample storage and table space but also add to the industrial charm of the space.

To counterbalance the raw and industrial feel of the steel a range of softer materials and colours have been employed throughout the space. Resene ‘Wildflower’ pink painted fluted timber linings have been used to create an inviting and warm atmosphere that is both modern and playful. This approach not only lightens the space but creates a sense of depth and texture. In addition to this a bolder Resene ‘Devoted’ Pink has been applied to the La Marzocco coffee machine as a focal point in the space.

The use of terrazzo flooring adds an element of sophistication to the space and provides durable and easy-to-maintain- surface that is well suited to a busy café environment.

Overall, the combination of raw folded steel, both subtle and bolder elements of pink and the terrazzo flooring ensure the space is welcoming and comfortable, while also reflecting the cafes unique and distinctive aesthetic.

Completed 2023

Photography - Stephen Goodenough 

Crafted by - The Owner @olympiaespresso