Loveat Jaffa: a 20th Century Orange-Packing Plant Turned Rustic Cafe

The most creative design solutions are often spurred by the tightest restrictions and this is definitely true of the new loveat branch in Jaffa, Israel. Commissioned to transform a 20th century orange-packing plant just south of Tel Aviv into a hip new coffee shop, Ronen Levin and Eran Chehanowitz faced several challenges.

Not only were they prohibited from making any adjustments to walls and facades given the building’s historical nature, but glass louvers on three sides made establishing non-public areas an issue. Hit the jump to find out how the design team surmounted these obstacles to produce a fresh, industrial-chic space that both locals and visitors will enjoy.

Undeterred by the constraints of building regulations, Levin and Chehanowitz re-invented the 70 sqm space as a modern hangar by creating stacked boxes framed in various sizes and shapes and adorned with a slew of industrial materials.

The kitchen was placed in a recycled shipping container and the bathroom is surrounded by a raw timber box.

There was once a time when industrial materials were hidden from view, but now it’s fashionable to leave them exposed. The new cafe takes advantage of this trend with furnishings made from spruce timber, grey steel and chipboard – all of which lend a gritty but relaxed ambience to a fresh and well-lit space.

On top of all this, loveat is an organic coffee shop. So patrons can feel good knowing that they are spending their money at an establishment that values the earth as much as they appreciate spectacular design.

Books are available to read, so nobody will be kicked out in a hurry, and window seating promotes people-watching – one of the best ways to while away the hours in this city of scantily-clad sun-worshippers.

A fantastic tribute to history and a striking bridge to the present, the design duo’s latest collaboration will impress even the strictest environmentalists.

All images via Eran Chehanowitz, Flickr

:: Dezeen