Interior design of CCAF. Cacao Apothecary Firm café
Brief description of the project
Ēter architects have created an atmospheric environment for a café in the centre of Riga, which offers ceremonial cocoa, matcha, and functional cocktails that nourish both the mind and body. Despite a very limited budget and short implementation time, the architects created the interior from individually crafted design elements, using found objects, material scraps, and elements purchased from a building supply store. Ceramic building bricks from the local factory Lode were used for the seat bases and other elements, while the light fixtures were made from simple LED profiles. To create a contrast to the robust materiality and honest details, the architects used soft bodies, mainly mattresses, sewn according to a pattern developed by Ēter as part of their in-depth research of ASMR design language in previous projects. Together, these elements create a space with a strong visual identity and a calming atmosphere on one of the busiest streets in the city.
Originality and creativity of the idea
The project’s brief was to create a feeling that is both homely and iconic—simple and calming at the same time. People should feel comfortable and free to use the space for both short and extended periods. The interior design promotes and is rooted in a healthy, slow, and mindful urban lifestyle. The main challenge was formulating a strong atmospheric identity within a short timeframe and under budgetary constraints that did not allow for refined design or delicate detailing. The project is instead an expression of open design thinking with a flexible approach, where design solutions emerge throughout the process by utilising found and accessible materials. It is a combination of opportunities used to achieve a coherent design language while adhering to strict limitations.
Definition of the problem and the relevance of the applied solutions
The goal was to open a cacao café in Riga within a very short period—two months, including both design and construction—with an extremely limited budget of EUR 20,000 for furniture, lighting, interior greenery, objects, and equipment. The task was to create a warm, relaxing, and cosmopolitan atmosphere that would serve as a testing ground for the architects’ design language.
Co-creation, stakeholder involvement and cooperation during the realisation process
The project was realised through close collaboration between the client, the architect, friends, and local small-scale producers.
Functionality and technological solutions
The 90 m² café is divided into two zones: an urban side oriented toward the city, and a niche-like «patio» space with a relaxing courtyard atmosphere. The entrance area features the counter and seating with a view of the Latvian National Museum of Art. The «patio» zone is defined by a central element — a tree — creating a homely garden ambiance alongside two soft, cushion-like columns that provide spatial privacy, tactile comfort, acoustic softness, and a gentle embrace. The walls and historic ceiling are finished with lime plaster, giving a soft background texture that ensures spatial unity and atmospheric calm. Most seating is formed from large ceramic construction bricks by the local factory «Lode», serving as bases for soft cushions. In the patio area, the bricks are arranged on two levels with curved edges to create sofa-like niches for lounging.
Aesthetics and other experiential dimensions
A tactile, robust space with brick base elements contrasts with the soft «bodies». These are primarily mattresses sewn according to a pattern developed by «Ēter», referencing their in-depth exploration of ASMR design language in previous projects. In addition, the patio features two soft columns acting as spatial protagonists.
Economic significance, sustainability and circularity
The project maximises the reuse of found materials, leftovers, and unused stock materials. Table legs found in the architect’s parents’ garden are combined with travertine tabletops—offcuts sourced from a factory in Riga. These elements were polished and welded to become one of the key interior features. Stainless steel tables produced in a nearby metal workshop are rough yet precise and aesthetically refined. Wall-mounted lamps made from standard LED profiles typically embedded in drywall are used as decorative lighting elements. Realising this project required an entire community.
Social relevance, inclusion, availability and accessibility
The cacao café offers a new type of space for the Riga community—a calm environment and a gentle, sensory experience for quiet work or relaxation, accompanied by healthy drinks, intimate yoga sessions, or cacao ceremonies. This café is the first of its kind in the Latvian capital and is inherently experimental. Innovative solutions create a relaxed and sustainable atmosphere, encouraging awareness of our bodies in relation to the material and tactile qualities of the environment. Cacao is a slow drink, and the spatial atmosphere both reflects and supports this ritual.
