Designing Tables for Donuts
Krispy Kreme Flagship Store, Times Link Mall
The Ask
Krispy Kreme reached out to us for café tables -- durable, solid wood, matte and beautiful. For solid wood, we recommended Yamanay (Gmelina Arborea), a very steady and durable timber that is moderately resistant to decay and termites. The way Yamanay’s wood grain moves is subtle and organic, truly a classic white birch. Krispy Kreme is a household donut brand that upholds quality beyond measure with a focus on customer experience. 16’96 took this opportunity to introduce simple bistro-esque silhouettes that would allow families and friends to indulge in the iconic donuts.
Krispy Kreme, Insein Branch
Krispy Kreme Flagship Store, Times Link Mall
Prototype
We always recommend our commercial clients to give us a window to craft a prototype (especially when a design is not from our existing collections) before committing to the full work scope. Making prototypes from small miniature models to the actual piece allows our design team to iron out small but important details -- things like the type of wood to its final wood stain. Inviting our clients along our craft journey gives 16’96 Concepts the opportunity to explain the ‘why’ behind a certain characteristic of the piece.
Krispy Kreme, Capital Mall
Krispy Kreme Flagship Store, Times Link Mall
Journey
As the saying goes ‘good things never come easy,’ given we confronted a few issues. For one, we needed to make the joint lines for the table tops look completely natural and almost invisible. The process of sanding the areas where the wood glue will be applied was tedious, but worth the effort. Figuring out the final wood finish proved a challenge because Krispy Kreme’s interiors were already complete. To find the closest palette that will complement their ambiance was key.
Reflect
After four branches (Capital Mall, Insein Road, Yangon Domestic Airport, and Times Link Mall) of hard work and the grind, Krispy Kreme and our team are delighted with the result. This was our first opportunity to collaborate with an International Food Chain, and it has truly been an honor to work with Krispy Kreme Myanmar’s team. We hope the pictures make it obvious that Krispy Kreme should be your holy grail place to chill, if it’s not one already.
Happy Donut-ing!
Krispy Kreme, Insein Branch
Photography by Htoo Aung Kyaw Studio