Interior design experts at CPMG Architects have worked with the Kitty Café to transform an existing restaurant unit at Birmingham’s Grand Central Station into a 4,170 square foot space, creating a natural, biophilic café.
Having designed the Kitty Café’s second site in Leeds, CPMG’s design team has created a cat-friendly interior following a £250,000 refurbishment. The café is complete with bespoke cat runs made of large scratching posts, Indiana Jones-style bridges and hammocks, carpet-clad columns and birch log screens, as well as a cat-sized spiral staircase.
Cristina Riley, senior interior designer at CPMG said: “Creating an environment for both cats and humans to enjoy has certainly had its challenges. It is important that the cats can’t get into the kitchen, so we have installed a sealed serving hatch for food to be passed through.”
The café was designed with biophilic design elements to ensure the wellbeing of both its human and animal guests. Made to feel like an outdoor space, the café’s ceiling has a night sky effect, and there is reclaimed timber panelling, greenery and vinyl transfers applied to glazing to create the effect of ‘growing’ ivy.
Cristina said: “The wellbeing of users is key in any environment, particularly when the space is going to be used by animals, so we needed to make sure the space was as natural as possible. Biophilic environments increase the happiness of their inhabitants, especially when they are able to play with animals at the same time!”
Birmingham’s Kitty Café sets itself apart from the brand’s existing cafés in Leeds and Nottingham, with a new, bespoke colour palette in line with CPMG-designed branding, which is reflected in the new signage, finishes, furniture and lighting, including a new multi-coloured lit-up sign spelling out the Kitty Café letters.
Kate Charles-Richards, who runs the Kitty Café, said: “‘We love CPMG Architects’ quirky design of the Kitty Café, particularly how it develops with every project. Each one is unique and has a nod to the local area which is such a great touch as we want to be in the heart of every community we are in.”
For more information about CPMG Architects’ interior design projects, visit www.cpmg-architects.com or join the conversation on Instagram (cpmg_id), Twitter (@cpmgArchitects) and LinkedIn (CPMG Architects).
