Warm and Hospitable – Genovese Coffee House by Alexander &CO.

At Genovese Coffee House in Sydney’s Alexandria, a warm, richly detailed interior by Alexander &CO. brings to life the history of Genovese Coffee and the site’s industrial heritage while prioritising recyclable and reclaimed materials.

Design references hark back to the 1970s, when Alfio Genovese established the brand, roasting coffee in the Italian style. Meanwhile, the earthy palette – with plenty of timber, chunky terrazzo, brick, concrete and raw linen – both speaks to the Italian tradition of the humble espresso bar and complements the simplicity of the formerly industrial building.

With Alexander &CO. and Genovese Coffee sharing a focus on sustainability, new materials were deprioritised. Harvested brickwork has been used in conjunction with Durra Panel – a 100 per cent recyclable and biodegradable insulation panel. Joinery is crafted from reclaimed timber, bathroom sinks repurposed and all materials can be readily downgraded at end-of-life to reduce the building’s ecological load.