Housed within a historic townhouse in the Polish city of Toruń, Napar’s new home sees local design studio Znamy się transform a compact specialty coffee roastery into a refined café where architecture and craft share the spotlight. Created for founders Michał Cieślak and Bartek Kędra, with pastry chef Emilia Chałas completing the offering, the expanded space retains the intimate character that earned Napar its loyal following while welcoming many more guests.
Drawing inspiration from both the building’s historic fabric and the ritual of brewing coffee, Znamy się has created an interior where every detail feels considered. Original timber windows and door frames informed the design of custom display cabinets and sculptural central volumes, their softly rounded forms echoing the shape of coffee beans. A restrained palette of timber, stone, glass and blackened steel allows the architecture to sit comfortably within the historic shell, while generous planting introduces warmth and softness throughout.
The café unfolds across two distinct spaces. The original room now serves as an open bar, centred on a gently curved counter that brings guests closer to the brewing process and encourages interaction with the baristas. Steel-framed shelving creates an orderly backdrop for coffee equipment and retail displays, while the generous counter transforms waiting for a drink into part of the experience.
Beyond, a quieter seating area offers a more contemplative atmosphere. At its centre, a sculptural timber volume provides integrated seating and subtly organises the room, with greenery creating a series of intimate pockets for guests to settle into. Mobile tables and stone seating elements add flexibility, while suspended translucent lighting and reflective surfaces introduce a gentle sense of movement inspired by the slow ritual of hand-poured coffee.
Throughout the project, references to coffee production are woven into the architecture without becoming overly literal. Curved forms, delicate details and carefully selected materials recall everything from coffee cherries and roasted beans to paper filters, glass servers and precision brewing equipment.
The result is an interior that reflects Napar’s meticulous approach to coffee making, creating a calm, memorable setting where thoughtful design and exceptional coffee are given equal attention.
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Napar Toruń Photography, Migdal studio.