In an increasingly competitive F&B market in Australia, investing in a café space is no longer just about visual appeal. A successful project must be built on a clear operational strategy, align with customer behavior and have long term development potential. Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea, with a total area of 280m², represents exactly that kind of challenge. Ken Design approached this project not as a purely aesthetic exercise but by starting from investor insights, local market characteristics and specific business goals in an overseas context.
The Investor’s Core Challenge
The investor of Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea aimed to develop a café and tea model serving a wide range of customers, with a strong focus on families and long stay guests. However, launching this model in Australia came with several simultaneous challenges.
The first challenge was how to create a space distinctive enough within a highly developed local café culture. The second was finding the right balance between a relaxing customer experience and efficient operation on a large scale floor area. At the same time, the café needed to accommodate very different customer groups, from solo visitors and small groups to families with children and guests seeking a private setting for work or meetings.
The operational goal was not simply to maximize seating capacity but to extend customer dwell time, increase value per visit and create strong reasons for repeat visits. With such a broad target audience, the space had to be flexible, welcoming and easy to access. The biggest risk was that without a well structured layout, the café could feel spacious yet inefficient, with underperforming areas and an experience that lacked clear differentiation in the Australian market.
Site Condition Assessment
Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea benefits from a generous 280m² floor area, offering strong potential for multiple functional zones and varied customer experiences. The layout also allows for the inclusion of outdoor seating, which aligns well with Australian lifestyle habits and climate conditions. In addition, the ceiling height supports flexible lighting solutions and the integration of greenery, creating an open and breathable atmosphere.
At the same time, a large area presents its own challenges. Without a carefully planned layout, the space could easily become fragmented, lack focal points and be difficult to manage operationally. Incorporating an indoor children’s play area also required careful consideration of safety, visibility and visual harmony within the overall design.
Design Concept and Style Direction
Based on the initial analysis, Ken Design selected a modern style combined with a tropical contemporary spirit for Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea. This concept was developed to create a bright, open and nature connected environment that suits the long stay café culture common in Australia. Rather than relying on heavy decorative elements, the design focuses on spatial emotion and real user experience.
The inspiration comes from open cafés filled with greenery where people can relax, socialize and connect. Modern design principles keep the space clean and easy to operate, while tropical elements add warmth and friendliness, making the café suitable for families and diverse customer groups. This concept directly supports the business model by allowing quick service for walk-in customers while remaining comfortable enough for extended stays.
Spatial Layout Solutions
The overall layout is organized into clearly defined yet closely connected functional zones. Circulation paths are carefully planned so customers can move easily through the space without disrupting the overall experience.
The main seating area occupies the largest portion of the floor plan and is arranged with a wide variety of table and seating types. Small square and round tables serve solo guests and couples, while rectangular tables accommodate groups of four and larger round tables are suitable for small families. This flexibility allows the café to adapt seating arrangements across different time periods and demand levels.
The VIP seating area is designed as a more private reception space, using leather chairs, low tables and sofa seating to create a living room like atmosphere. The integration of massage chairs enhances comfort and encourages longer stays, contributing directly to higher revenue per customer.
The indoor children’s play area is a major advantage of the business model. Positioned for easy supervision, it ensures safety while allowing parents to relax and enjoy the space. In addition, the outdoor seating area with long benches and large umbrellas accommodates groups of four to six people, expanding the usable area during peak hours and offering a more open dining experience.
Façade Design Approach
The façade of Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea is designed with an open approach, combining large glass panels with greenery to create a welcoming and approachable street presence. Rather than being overly expressive, the design focuses on brightness, clarity and harmony with the surrounding urban context. This approach allows the café to blend naturally into the Australian cityscape while still maintaining its own identity.
Interior Material Selection
Materials are selected with consistency and purpose. Furniture uses light toned wood combined with light leather upholstery to create a clean and comfortable atmosphere. Decorative elements are kept minimal, emphasizing form and material quality over excessive ornamentation. Textured paint finishes and decorative stone cladding are applied at key locations to add spatial depth while ensuring durability for long term operation.
Color Palette and Lighting Strategy
The primary color palette consists of bright tones such as beige, cream and natural wood, complemented by green from indoor plants. This combination keeps the space fresh, calming and timeless. Lighting is designed around warm light tones, using pendant and circular fixtures to create a relaxed ambiance. This lighting approach not only supports functionality but also plays a key role in shaping emotional comfort for guests who stay for extended periods.
Key Design Highlights
The most distinctive feature of Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea lies in the seamless integration of the children’s play area and the VIP seating within a unified spatial concept. Greenery functions as a central design element, naturally dividing zones while reinforcing brand identity. This approach reflects Ken Design’s signature in large scale café projects implemented for international markets.
Project Value and Outcomes
The design solutions help optimize revenue by increasing effective seating capacity, extending customer dwell time and attracting family oriented customer segments. The overall experience is enhanced through clear spatial organization, comfortable lighting and diverse functional zones. At the same time, the use of durable and low maintenance materials helps the investor control construction and long term operational costs.
Sun Vietnam Coffee and Tea demonstrates Ken Design’s strategic approach to overseas café projects, where spaces are created to support the right business model and local market conditions. For investors seeking an experienced F&B design partner with international project expertise and a strong understanding of operational thinking, Ken Design is ready to accompany you from the very first steps.
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