COCO is an Edinburgh based Artisan Chocolatier that makes organic and ethically traded chocolate from the Dominican Republic, with flavours ranging from Hot Cross Bun Spice to Gin & Tonic. It was established in 2004, and was one of Scotland’s first chocolatiers. They now have a shop in Bruntsfield and a specialist Chocolate Kitchen in Summerhall, Edinburgh. All of the products are hand-crafted, including packaging, and are made from high quality ingredients.
Lower Ground Plan
Lift - Makes COCO Chocolatier accessible for people with disabilities, as they can access all floors of the building.
COCO Chocolatier Chocolate Shop.
Chocolate Kitchen - Visable to the public through large glass windows. Customers can view the chocolate being hand made and know that it is being made localy. Stairlift - this makes the shop accessible for disabled people, as the entrance leads into the basement.
Upper Ground Plan
Activites Room - This room is where customers can come to make chocolate in groups or alone, and learn about how chocolate is made and sourced. This room is a key part of how the building has been made into a multifunctional space.
The location of the new COCO Chocolatier shop is near the Triangle in Bournemouth at 6 St Michael’s Rd, BH2 5DX. This location is ideal for the multifunctional space as it is large and open. Being off the main road, means it will not be over crowed and noisy, offering privacy for parties and group bookings. I chose this brand to design for because of the simple design of the current stores. This allowed me to explore a variety of styles and layouts, whilst representing the brand accurately. The focus of my design was a modern take on art deco, which I related to the brand through the shape of the logo. I used this style when choosing furniture and materials, such as marble and marble tile. I also incorporated art deco into my staircase design. I created an art deco inspired hand rail around the outside of the staircase. In order to sympathise with the building, I used concrete as a material for the steps, and through the building. The current freemason’s uses concrete for the stairs leading up from the basement, which are listed. Another material I focused on in my design was marble. Not only was this for visual reasons, but also because marble surfaces are used when making chocolate as they don’t absorb anything, stay cool and can be warmed up. Another material I used is pink velvet. This is used on all the chairs and sofas, as it relates directly to art deco, and reflects the colour scheme of my design. I picked a pale pink and sophisticated style for my design due clients being predominantly female. The activity spaces offer hen parties and baby showers as well as group bookings in the current stores, which I have reflected on and expanded
in the space. A chocolate shop and café can appeal to both genders, who may want to buy a drink or gift instead of spending the day there. The space includes a variety of areas including a shop, chocolate kitchen with a viewing window, Café, activity space, private tasting mezzanine, disabled toilets and access and a lift. Having disability access is important to allow every type of client the opportunity to visit and to make them feel equally considered. By creating a multifunctional space this invites more customers, as they may not initially intend to use all the spaces, but have the opportunity to do so, for example they may come to use the café, but as the exit is through the shop, they might want to purchase something they have just tasted.
Bar/Café - Where customers can take a break from shopping and indulge in chocolate influenced cusine. Staircase to Mezzanine - made from concrete and gold bars, with a chcolate watrefall underneath connecting the old and new design. Disabled Toilet - on the upper ground floor which can be accessed from the café. Disabled customers can access this floor via the lift.
Mezzanine Plan
Mezzanine - A space where groups can book wine and chocolate tasting events. The space is private and accessible for people with disabilities.
Activity Room - Where groups can participate in chocolate making.
‘Making delicious chocolate is our passion’
Café Counter - Where customers can order chocolate inspired food and beverages. Marble Tile
Concrete
Gold Colour
Marble
Chocolate Colour
Pastel Pink Art Deco Wallpaper
Long Section - Showing the café, mezzanine and the staircase. The mezzanine is where private bookings take place.