Designed by ZXC Studio, Scones Bali is a petite roadside spot in Jimbaran that’s made all the more appealing by hanging plants, neutral tones and local terracotta. Designer Zhi Xiong Chan shares more about the project

Design_Anthology_2021-00 Scones _Coffee, Bali - ZXC Studio_by-Sharon-Angelia-07.1.jpg

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Zhi Xiong Chan: The clients, a young couple, first reached out to me through Instagram. When their regular jobs were interrupted by the pandemic restrictions in the middle of 2020, they started baking pastries from home and selling them on social media. As the popularity of their products grew and restrictions in Bali began to loosen, they decided to set up a bakery with a more public face.

What was their brief to you for the project?

They leased a small space within an existing shophouse as well as its outdoor terrace that faces the road. The entire space is just over 50 square metres. Their requirements were a coffee counter, indoor and outdoor seating and an on-site bakery.

What’s great about the neighbourhood and what makes the location unique?

The road that the venue sits on is busy one, mainly populated with large chain outlets, motor showrooms and hardware stores. However, due to its proximity to the university and surrounding residential neighbourhoods, there are pockets of family-run shops that form a community of small businesses.

How did you approach the project — what design references/narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

I designed the venue to capitalise on its highly visible location while also creating a refuge from the heat and traffic outside. The bakery is positioned at the roadside window to draw people in, and once inside, an abundance of greenery and natural light brings a sense of ease to the main seating area. A planter across the front of the terrace shields the space from the road, and ferns and philodendron hang from the perimeter walls, animating the space with a calming presence. The clear pergola roof overhead is clad in slatted timber boards that allow natural light to filter through.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.

The enclosing walls of the bakery, as well as the ceiling and frontage of the pergola, are clad in painted timber siding. We chose locally baked terracotta tiles for the flooring to bring warmth and balance to the colour palette.

Please tell us about some of the custom pieces for the space.

In addition to the fixed banquettes and coffee counter, we designed a series of chairs and stools for the venue. Teak seats and backrests are complimented by steelwork painted green to match the overall colour palette.

Images / Sharon Angelia