Paul Lafayet Cafe

Studio X were appointed to design a new flagship retail store for the patisserie brand Paul Lafayet. The flagship was designed as a testbed for a wider roll-out of their cafe and bakery concept across China.

The space includes an open-plan cake preparation workshop that is visible to customers, providing visual theatre and the aroma of freshly baked goods. This space can also be viewed from the adjacent shopping arcade where passers-by can see the finishing flambé being applied to the creme brûlées.

Subtle use of soft, warm colour tones and natural materials were implemented to appeal to a predominantly female consumer. The café design emphasises craftsmanship and French patisserie culture, reinforcing the brand story through subtle detailing and ambiance.

The Paul Lafayet café design focused on evoking Parisian heritage while catering to Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle. By blending refined materiality with efficient layouts, the café feels indulgent yet accessible. The design framework allows the brand to scale across different locations while maintaining authenticity. This balance of elegance and adaptability ensures that each Paul Lafayet venue continues to delight customers while reinforcing the brand’s story of craft and cultural fusion.