Café Ferdinand
In August of 2013, Vodafone approached us with the task of developing the brand and interior design for a café in their new Hamburg flagship store. Situated on Hamburg’s main shopping street, Jungfernstieg, the café would provide coffee, treats, and waterfront views to Vodafone customers and passers-by alike.
Vodafone chose the name “Café Ferdinand” as a nod to the founder of modern telecommunications, German physicist and Nobel Prize winner Ferdinand Braun. Influenced by the time period in which Braun lived, we developed a Bauhaus-inspired logo with circuit-like identity elements, evocative of Braun’s early inventions.
Inspired by Braun’s work as a professor and scientist, we designed the interior of the cafe to feel like a classroom, with an elevated “library” area full of books and period details. We custom designed classroom-style tables, as well as built-in shelving for the library. The café successfully opened in June 2014.
We custom designed these classroom-style desks. Cubby holes underneath are used to store menus and patrons’ personal items.
We commissioned these great industrial worktables and stools from PLY Hamburg, as well as the chalk illustration from illustrator Natalya Posukhova.
A shelf showcasing old telephones evokes Braun’s role as a pioneer of modern telecommunication.
Aerogram Studio custom designed built-in shelving to display books and historical knick-knacks.
Located right on the popular shopping street Jungfernstieg, the café provides fantastic views over Hamburg’s famous Binnenalster lake and water fountain.