For over 100 years, the long-established Geiping bakery, with around 620 employees and its headquarters in Lüdinghausen, has been supplying its customers with bread and baked goods. For its 50th branch, the family-run business wanted a distinctive design that would stand out clearly from the other branches. AHA 360º Shop Fitting & Lighting Design planned and implemented this flagship project. The result is a place with soul, where the star – the product – takes centre stage.

The bakery café is situated on a busy main road and is surrounded by a residential area. The new building also comprises flats and housing for the elderly. An open glass front offers a glimpse into the shop from the outside; the interior is deliberately understated so as not to steal the limelight from the goods on display. The large space is dominated by calm, earthy tones and minimalist design elements that appear both timeless and stylish. The atmosphere is inviting and relaxed – a place designed to bring people together. AHA 360º optimised the originally planned layout, significantly improving customer flow and staff workflows. The goods – bread, rolls, cakes and snacks – are presented at a counter featuring a front made of carved natural stone in the colour ‘Steel Grey’ with a rough-hewn surface. High-quality, oiled solid oak elements were custom-made to exacting standards of craftsmanship. The attention to detail is also evident in the screens in the coffee and bread area, which are elegantly integrated into the décor. Above the sales area, a solid wood ceiling creates a warm atmosphere. The room’s sophisticated lighting design goes beyond the visible: depending on its use, each area is given its own distinct ambience. The light-filled café area, with its wooden-tiled floor, is subtly divided into different seating areas. A striking room divider featuring lush green plants dominates the space, in front of which an elongated, upholstered bench and rattan-woven chairs invite guests to linger.

The area in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows is distinguished by different seating, whilst at the rear of the café, guests can enjoy plenty of privacy, shielded by the plants. Special awnings on the windows provide protection from excessive sunlight. The indoor area covers 250 m² with 72 seats and is complemented by a 100 m² terrace offering a further 54 seats. Eye-catching parasols and atmospheric party lighting around the outdoor terrace create visual highlights that also catch the eye of passing traffic.

www.aha360.com

Photography:
Martin Augsburger
www.martin-augsburger.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 01|26)