Artisanal patisserie AVANT+ Bakery is on a roll, opening one design-led café after another across the sprawling metropolitan area of Seoul. Its latest outpost has just opened its doors in the emerging area around Eulji-ro, a former industrial area which, as of late, is slowly transforming into a hotbed of cool establishments catering to the city’s savvy Millennial and Gen Z demographics. Interestingly, the AVANT+ Bakery café sits on the premises of DGB Financial Centre, the high-rise regional head office of an eponymous Daegu-based bank. Situated on the ground floor, the café occupies a spacious 284 sqm. (3,057 sq.ft.) unit and features an interior design by Seoul-based architecture practice Oftn Studio. The company’s essence is French bread, but it’s paired with the current sensibilities in the country’s flourishing dessert culture.
In order to reflect this brand’s identity in the space, the chosen aesthetic embeds existing architectural elements, while at the same time, historic European architectural style and modern elements were harmonised. The chosen aesthetic aims to reflect a traditional European square, and sees flooring designed with a patterned lower design, and counters and bread stands consisting of volumes of concrete which are both functional and aesthetic. The pillars are all-white and intentionally discreet, allowing the backdrop, being the kitchen and storage, to visually take centre stage. Almost the entire café is encased in glass, allowing in floods of natural light which, combined with an abstract gazebo structure and classic Thonet chairs, further boosts the ‘European square’ feel. AVANT+ Bakery‘s menu lists a wide range of pastries, notably croissant variations, and various hot and cold beverages.
AVANT+ Bakery
DGB Financial Centre, 125 Namdaemun-ro, Ground Floor (Eulji-ro)
04521 Seoul
Publishers Note
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