Maya x The Cakery Taikoo

The Harmony of Two Aesthetics.

Maya & The Cakery’s first co-branded shop, a grab-and-go destination for vegan pastries and cakes, is situated in Taikoo Place. Dedicated to building a community around healthy and sustainable food, its strategic spot is at the centre of a business circle, close to the main entrance and busy escalators, offering a convenient option for office workers and residential nearby.

Developed with the building’s common area revamp, the design has to harmoniously incorporate existing building materials, ensuring alignment with the brand identity, while honouring the site’s original architecture.

House of Forme worked with both teams from the brand environment to interior design, FF&E design, and art direction.

Classiness Within a Birdhouse.

Branching from Maya’s birdhouse brand identity, the design creates a cozy nook encouraging a friendly community, featuring the brand’s signature green colour accented with elegant brass details. A key challenge was harmonizing with the facade's existing wood. The carefully selected wood shade for the counter adds depth and warmth, complementing the facade and enhancing the birdhouse theme. A convenient grab-and-go fridge on the side, and an inviting pastry display above the counter showcase the appealing vegan offerings.

The limited space, constrained by the shop’s location under the stairs resulting in infrastructure limitations, was another significant challenge in accommodating both brands. An interchangeable menu signage system was therefore implemented. Not only is it a clever solution to the limitation, but allows flexibility in displaying and updating menu items.

Given the shop’s open layout, it is essential to align the open kitchen design with the shopfront, embracing both functionality and visual appeal. Stainless steel and marble surfaces, accented with green, are used throughout the kitchen island and tables. Glazed tiles on the wall ensure easy maintenance, while a half wainscoting adds a classic, western charm. Shelving at the back of the store offers both display space and an opportunity to showcase the brands’ essence through on-brand decor, reinforcing the Maya & The Cakery narrative.

The Symphony of Contrasts.

A wall divider separates the two brands, with Italian plaster in Maya’s signature green on one side, and grey cement on The Cakery’s side. The domed doorway not only connects the spaces with a sense of softness, but also acts as a continuation of the birdhouse storytelling.

The Cakery’s storefront, facing another side of the common area, juxtaposes with Maya’s warm, inviting aesthetic. Embracing a minimalist design with a monochrome palette, The Cakery’s stark visual identity clearly defines the distinct identities of the two brands within the shared space.

A Bespoke Cottage Mood.

Despite the grab-and-go concept, a seating area is located within the common area. Consisting of bespoke tables and chairs crafted from weather timber, the area evokes a cozy cottage aesthetic, linking back to the birdhouse concept. Each table is equipped with a dimmable light, allowing a different ambiance day and night. The glass partition surrounding the seating area provides a display space for the brand’s merchandise, cutlery and more, further enhancing the cottage home narrative.