Taylor Knights transforms Melbourne warehouse into sustainable coffee hub
Solar-powered roastery showcases eco-friendly production through transparent design
1Industrial warehouse reinvented
Architecture studio Taylor Knights converted an old industrial warehouse in Brunswick East into a cafe and coffee roastery for Contraband Coffee. Featuring exposed concrete walls and timber joinery, the space runs entirely on solar power, aligning with the company's fossil fuel-free vision. The team, who also designed Contraband's first location in Preston, prioritized sustainability throughout the project.
2Solar-powered roasting innovation
The new facility houses an all-electric coffee roaster and uses electric vans for distribution, marking Contraband's transition to renewable energy. Partnering with local business Reground, the company recycles soft plastic packaging, coffee grounds, and chaff - the dried skin shed during roasting. These initiatives demonstrate how industrial processes can become environmentally responsible.
3'Reveal rather than replace' philosophy
Taylor Knights director Peter Knights describes their approach as "reusing what exists rather than relying on technology." Original concrete ceiling beams and flooring were preserved, while new glazed openings along the northern facade flood the space with natural light. Locally sourced timber counters and subtle green accents soften the industrial aesthetic.
4Transparent production experience
A glass partition separates the cafe from the roasting area, allowing customers to witness the coffee production process. The timber curtain wall features glass inlays that showcase the electric roaster in action. This design creates visual connectivity between consumers and the craft behind their coffee.
5Community-oriented courtyard
Designed with landscape architects TCL, the courtyard features a communal high table with stools, surrounded by cylindrical concrete planters and circular seating platforms. Aluminum-framed benches repurposed from Taylor Knights' 2021 Pond[er] installation at the National Gallery of Victoria provide additional seating in the former parking area.
6Where art meets sustainability
The entrance wall features a playful mural by artist Chris Costa, adding artistic flair to the sustainable design. Front garden seating incorporates aluminum frames upcycled from previous projects. These artistic touches demonstrate how sustainability can intersect with creative expression in commercial spaces.
7Taylor Knights' Melbourne portfolio
Beyond hospitality projects, the studio is known for residential work including a Brunswick West bungalow with a glass-fronted extension subtly inspired by a Wassily Kandinsky painting. Having designed both Contraband locations, Taylor Knights has developed expertise in adaptive reuse and sustainable material applications.
8Blueprint for future F&B ventures
The Contraband Coffee project sets new benchmarks for energy efficiency and waste management in the food industry. By combining repurposed industrial spaces, local materials, and transparent production processes, it serves as an inspirational model for sustainable gastronomy businesses worldwide.