█ light on the sugar
jacksonville, fl : [2022]
Light on the Sugar is a bakery concept with roots in Central Florida. The owners are very passionate about their craft and want the quality of their spaces to reflect the artistry that goes into their baked goods. This shop is the first to open in Jacksonville and carries over many of the themes of their Winter Park store. Including the kitchen, service areas, and dining room, the store occupies only 923 square feet. This compact footprint required us to be efficient with space planning and impactful with our design decisions so that the user experience can be as delightful and impactful as a larger store.
The Interior circulation is defined by a large racetrack-shaped communal table that also serves to anchor the dining room space. To each side of the table are zones for dining. The idea is to introduce a variety of seating to carve out zones of occupation within the compact space. The service counter to the back of the room is designed with efficiency in mind. All items are within close reach so that the front-of-house service operations can be staffed by two employees. The artfully crafted baked goods are on full display at the front counter while baristas turn out caffeinated delights directly behind.
The vibe is spacious and airy but grounded. Saturated earth tones like clay, terracotta, and rust are used to bring warmth and conviviality to the space. The soft natural hues and geometric motifs featured in the design subtly evoke the West Coast and its reverence towards nature and the outdoors. Pattern and relief are used to further differentiate zones and articulate architectural surfaces. The wood battens on the ceiling, the fluted detail on the counter, and the carved arched panels are designed to catch the light and add depth through textural variety. Key materials are concrete and wood which were selected for their associations with California Modernism and their timeless appeal. The color white serves as a ubiquitous backdrop, working to amplify the space’s natural light and the overall feeling of spaciousness.
photo credit | Chad Baumer Photography