The Challenge

Create a new bar and restaurant to bring to life the EXPAT Roasters brand, with an Ubud feel. The space needed to accomodate and invite a variety of groups and transform from day to night.

Our Approach 

The architecture and materiality was inspired by the refined precision of EXPAT.Roasters, combined with the relaxed atmosphere and locality of Ubud. The focus of the space was the central espresso bar and the canopy overhead inspired by the monkey forest canopy. This is further accentuated by a mural of the monkey forest, hand painted by local artist Tazroc, hi lighting local flora and fauna and telling the Expat. Roasters coffee story.

Tiered seating, dubbed ‘rice field’ looks down onto the central brew bar and is lined with fixed tables, cushions and locally produced sisal rugs, designed for groups of two. The elevated whiskey bar upstairs, looks down over the brew bar. Exterior communal style seating often referred to as ‘dry jacuzzi’ seating includes step seating inside and outside.Adjacent to the central espresso bar, are private concrete booths designed for groups. Terazzo flooring is incorporated in various zones and is re-imagined through slabs of local stone and smaller white stone on a black background, mimicking rice grains.