Nkora

Farringdon, EC4A

Design: East JR
Photography: Beth Davis

From initial conversations with Nkora founders Emile and Nancy, it was clear that the brand was ready for a bold move. Having a loyal customer base and great success as a place for specialty coffee, baked goods and signature interiors, they were feeling confident to expand into new territory.

Set inside a standalone glass-sided pavilion, the coffee shop is visible from all angles. In response, the design focuses on a distinctive central bar that presents a strong visual identity from every viewpoint.

The stylistic approach centres on the contrast between bold wooden forms and polished stainless steel, creating a deliberate tension between warmth and coolness. Using Japanese design features, and soft European modernism sensibilities as our inspiration, the interplay helped establish a calm, welcoming atmosphere within the space.

Nkora’s seventh location stands out. Although surrounded by other glass buildings, this

glass-sided pavilion with its angled roof is, in

every sense, a stand-out.

The main challenge was in creating a beautiful and functional design in a small space. The fact that the pavillion was glazed with full height windows on three sides made it challenging to create an inviting space that looked good from all angles. Equally ensuring the space was practical from a customer flow perspective.

Above the circular bar, a suspended ring-shaped paper lantern acts as a beacon of warmth, drawing in passers-by and creating a soft, inviting glow visible from across the street. A bespoke bench and perch bar were designed to be visually light in the space. The supports were installed into the concrete subfloor before the finished polished concrete floor was poured. This added to the feeling of permanence of the designs and helped to create a coherent feel to the space.