In Marylebone, London, EBBA Architects has reimagined Cup of Joy’s first U.K. cafe as a material-forward project built around handwork. The studio’s approach starts with stone, set by hand on site, and finishes with a continuous clay surface that softens the look and feel of the space.
The café measures 168 square meters, and the walls are the main event. EBBA used handpicked stone and tested the build process before installation to get the clay finish right. That kind of up-front trial work is a clear reminder for mason contractors and finish trades that mockups are not paperwork. They are how teams lock in texture, sequencing, and the final surface that owners will judge every day.
Portland stone slabs are placed deliberately, then shift into smaller fragments that read as a rising pattern. The result is a wall surface that feels sculptural instead of decorative. A continuous datum line runs through the space to visually connect the rooms, and thick wall sections are carved into nooks that hold seating and retail displays. For contractors, that detail has real jobsite consequences, including layout control, consistent wall thickness, and tight coordination with adjacent millwork and lighting.
On the ground floor, an oak bar runs diagonally and ties into custom furniture. Above, a timber and opaque glass ceiling spreads light evenly. Woodblock flooring continues the warm palette, and a terracotta concrete stair paired with a steel structure links levels. Downstairs, the mood shifts under a circular oculus, with softer curves, lower furniture, and walnut tones. Custom paper lanterns, along with wall lights and chairs, round out a space where the stone and clay work stays visually continuous from floor to basement.
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