Full Circle is a new brew bar inspired by Ubud’s surrounding environment and relaxed atmosphere.
October 18th, 2018
Full Circle by Expat. Roasters is a recent addition to the lively Ubud scene. Designed by Sydney-based studio X+O, the brew bar is inspired by the local environment and relaxed atmosphere of Ubud, with the rice fields, Monkey Forest and casual vibe translated into architecture and materiality.
“The client asked us to take the Expat. Roasters brand and give it a relaxed, local Ubud feel. This resulted in the sleek, minimalist, modern look infused with organic elements and local storytelling,” says Rebecca Vulic, Design Director of X+O, who collaborated with A+A Architecture in Jakarta for local sourcing and on-the-ground execution.
Located in the new Artotel, Full Circle attracts single travellers, groups, day trippers, locals and hotel guests. X+O configured with space with a variety of zones to cater to different customer groups and to provide varied outlooks or experiences, encouraging them to return. “We needed to facilitate seating for the coffee curious at the bar, for the time poor who want a quick grab-and-go coffee and snack, and for those who want to stay longer and indulge over a few drinks and a nice meal,” says Vulic.
The venue is designed around a communal and interactive espresso bar. The canopy above is inspired by the Monkey Forest and greenery evokes the local Ubud environment. Sculptural concrete booths adjacent to the bar offer a more private experience. The strong geometric angles reference the Expat. Roasters brand while local teak creates a more relaxed feel.
The terraced rice fields are translated into different levels in the space, with the various steps creating different zones and seating arrangements. A corner with tiered seating has fixed tables, cushions and locally produced sisal rugs; the whiskey bar upstairs overlooks the brew bar; and concrete steps provide additional seating inside and out.
X+O experimented with concrete and terrazzo to create interesting architectural elements and furniture in each zone. Pressed bamboo concrete on the espresso bar is a modern interpretation of the local and traditional material, the terrazzo flooring suggests rice grains, reimagined with small and large stones.
Artist Tazroc hand painted the colourful tile mural, which depicts the monkey forest, highlighting local flora, fauna and coffee beans, and bringing the brand story to life. The hugging hands of the Expat. Roasters logo is also expressed in rounded features throughout the space, including the forms of the stools, chairs and banquette seats – “as if hugging customers as they experience the space,” says Vulic.
“We are proud that we have been able to create moments within a space that bring people together and create a sense of community in a place where people from all walks of life come to visit,” she says. “The architecture facilitates a dialogue between locals and travellers allowing tourists to have a lasting impression of the space.”
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
A hair salon in the Japanese capital blends a language of metal and water in a distinctive, original design.
A hospitality venue in the heart of Osaka comprising four dining options – a place where nostalgic pastimes meet high-end dining.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Boasting unmatched cooking and food preservation capabilities, Sub-Zero and Wolf enable designers to set a new standard for kitchen design, and inspire a higher quality of culinary experience.
Art, design, architecture and hospitality all combine perfectly at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne by BAR Studio and Cottee Parker.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Welcome to the year of the Design Effect. This year’s theme aims to showcase the profound ripple effects that exceptional design can have on people, place and planet. Join in shaping this narrative by contributing your perspective before May 3, 2024, and become a part of the Design Effect movement.