After attending my coffee shop course, the client approached me to design his coffee house in Reading town centre.

The Brief
The client’s primary needs were to create a welcoming, warm coffee shop, with lots of use of wood. He also wanted to maximise space for seating.

Key Design Considerations

1. Pricing.
   The drawings provided were issued to their team of building contractors, allowing them to prepare accurate cost estimates.
2. Equipment.
   The equipment layout and the corresponding legends that were provided ensured that all counters were built to sufficient depths and heights, to allow for their installation. The drawings future proofed the counter and kitchen areas, allowing for potential changes in the food operation at a later stage, as the coffee shop grew.
3. Building Control approval.
   My plans included the necessary mechanical and electrical information required for full building control approval.
4. Seating.
   Seating plans allowed for estimates for indoor and outdoor furniture arrangements.

Subject to the above considerations, I was able to produce detailed proposed layouts of the following:

1. Full Cafe Plan
   These included details of services, lighting, flooring, emergency lighting and security.
2. Cafe Counter Plan
   This drawing outlined the layout of the counter, including the location of the coffee machine, grinders, the glass food display, tills, and other essential equipment and storage.
3. Cafe Front and Rear Elevations
   These were intended to provided a visual representation of the counter’s height, depth, and the placement of shelves, cupboards, and equipment.
4. Detailed Working Kitchen Plan
   These included details of a small baking area, the dish wash area, refrigeration, dry storage area, and mandatory spaces, such as a secure chemical cleaning cupboard.

To create a distinctive logo, we presented five initial concepts, each reflecting the essence of the brand. After careful consideration and several iterations, we finalized a design that was used throughout Fresca Coffee House. We provided the client with a comprehensive brand logo pack which included vector formats, raster formats, typeface styles, and brand guidelines. The brand guidelines consisted of a detailed document outlining the proper usage of the logo, colour palette, and typography, ensuring a cohesive brand identity.

To streamline operations and ensure consistency, I provided the client with essential tools such as my excel staff rota template, excel supplier stock and product list, and a sample job advertisement. These resources helped us to interview, recruit and organise staff, to place orders and to control stock.

Prior to the grand opening, my barista training sessions were designed to elevate coffee skills and standards throughout the team. Key topics covered included:

• Espresso Knowledge: Understanding the characteristics of Arabica coffee, and it’s impact on their espresso flavour profile.
• Machine Operation: Proper startup procedures, maintenance techniques, and the art of extracting a perfect espresso shot.
• Milk Texturing Techniques: Mastering the skill of creating velvety microfoam milk, essential for crafting exceptional caffe lattes and cappuccinos.
• Coffee Drink Preparation: Learning how to prepare a variety of espresso-based drinks, including flat whites, lattes, and cappuccinos.
• Ingredient Storage: Proper storage techniques for milk and coffee beans to maintain freshness and quality.
• End-of-Day Cleaning: Essential cleaning procedures to ensure optimal machine performance and hygiene.

The Result
Fresca Coffee House went onto serve expertly made coffee to the people of Reading.