Design Meets Sustainability Case Study
Taith Coffee Roasters in Lewes is a standout destination for coffee enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of craftsmanship and sustainability. The café and roastery has a sleek, minimalist design that complements its focus on high-quality, ethically sourced coffee. Taith is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a place where the art of roasting and brewing is celebrated, with its open-plan layout allowing customers to see the process up close. With a commitment to eco-conscious practices, Taith Coffee Roasters creates an inviting space where customers can relax, enjoy their coffee, and learn about sustainable sourcing. Taith Coffee Roasters is owned by Frances and Sam.
In this project, Designs Woodcraft, a bespoke carpentry and design company, played a pivotal role in bringing Taith Coffee Roasters’ vision to life. Known for blending aesthetic appeal with sustainable practices, Designs Woodcraft crafted the café’s custom interiors using reclaimed wood and eco-friendly materials. Every piece was thoughtfully designed to reflect the brand’s dedication to quality and sustainability, from the beautifully crafted countertops to the functional seating areas. With a strong focus on local craftsmanship, Designs Woodcraft creates interiors that are not only visually stunning but also aligned with environmental values.
This case study highlights how design can meet sustainability, creating a functional yet stylish environment while supporting ethical business practices.
The Brief. To Reuse and Repurpose
Designs Woodract were approached by Taith and the architects to assist in creating an interior for their coffee shop.
The ethos behind the Taith brand aligns with Designs Woodcraft, to use natural products, to reuse and repurpose and to follow ethical practices.
The site used to be an old bookshop and so the brief was to use as much of the existing timber, to create furniture, shelving and tabling. To complement DW also used sustainably sourced timber from South Downs Timber Co.
Where to start
The first part of the process was to work through the carefully removed old timber bookshelves, and handpick the usable timbers. Following this selection all screws, staples, brackets and fixings had to be removed. A painstaking but worthwhile task! Using Frances and Sam’s visions, designs and lots of free-flow conversations the work began to create beautiful tabling, bookshelves and chairs.
The Signature Curve
The timbers were planed, sanded and shaped to create the signature curve which flows throughout the build, bringing cohesion between the brand and the site.
Repurposed and Brought Back to Life
Once the timber was prepared and ready to use the handmade furniture was completed over the following months. The timbers are finished in a darker tone, which was chosen to complement the buildings age and in homage to the old bookshop shelving.
It was wonderful to see this forgotten timber, repurposed and brought back to life. In addition to this the project used sustainably sourced South Downs beech and ash to create the chairs, stools and coffee coasters.
The Result. A Considered, Calm and Sustainable Interior
The site now complete, immediately gives a sense of calm, where everything is considered and thought through without being imposing or showy, a really natural environment and Designs Woodcraft enjoyed being a part of creation, design and repurposing of this beautiful setting and interior.
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