6.3 Space Requirements
Purpose
The physical space is one of the most important decisions in the development of LAMBA. While many aspects of the project can evolve over time, the quality of the premises cannot easily be changed once a lease has been signed.
For this reason, location and architecture should always take priority over cosmetic improvements.
The following requirements describe the ideal premises for LAMBA. Some items are considered essential, while others represent desirable features that may strengthen the project but are not absolute requirements.
Preferred Premises
Ground floor commercial unit
Approximately 70–120 m²
Large street-facing windows
High ceilings (preferably within an older building)
Excellent natural daylight
Strong street visibility
Located within a walkable neighbourhood
Space for approximately 15–20 seated guests, plus 5 bar seats
Preferred Neighbourhood Characteristics
Strong local community
Independent businesses nearby
Active pedestrian traffic throughout the day
Creative and culturally diverse environment
Good public transport connections
Premium, but not luxury, location
Streets where people naturally stroll rather than simply commute
Coffee Bar & Kitchen
LAMBA is first and foremost a neighbourhood café.
The coffee bar should therefore be the visual centre of the space and immediately visible upon entering.
Behind the coffee bar sits a compact, open kitchen designed to support the café’s focused menu.
The kitchen is intentionally not designed as a full restaurant kitchen.
Food preparation relies primarily on assembly, baking, refrigeration and finishing rather than traditional cooking.
Preferred equipment includes:
Commercial convection oven
Commercial extraction and ventilation
Commercial refrigeration
Food preparation benches
Commercial dishwasher
Food preparation sink
Hand-washing sink
Bakery display
Dry storage
No traditional cooking line or induction hob is required.
Storage
Adequate storage is essential for efficient daily operations.
Ideally, the premises should include:
Separate dry storage room
Storage for furniture and outdoor seating
Space for deliveries
General equipment storage
A basement or rear storage room would be highly desirable.
Where this is not available, carefully planned kitchen shelving may provide an acceptable alternative.
Office
A small office is preferred but not essential.
Ideally, the office would provide space for:
Administration
Supplier management
Inventory
Content planning
Meetings
Secure storage of documents and equipment
Where no dedicated office exists, a small workspace within the storage area would be acceptable.
Outdoor Seating
Outdoor seating is considered an important part of the guest experience during Malmö’s warmer months.
The preferred arrangement includes:
Two to three small café tables
Modular furniture that can be removed daily
South or west-facing sunlight where possible
Minimal visual impact on the street
Outdoor seating should complement the neighbourhood rather than dominate it.
Accessibility
The premises should be welcoming and accessible to all guests.
Preferred features include:
Step-free entrance where possible
Accessible toilet
Comfortable circulation throughout the café
Flexible furniture layout
Space suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs
Building Services
Preferred infrastructure includes:
Existing café or hospitality use
Sufficient electrical capacity
Commercial ventilation
Reliable plumbing
Heating and cooling appropriate for hospitality
Customer toilet
Staff toilet (desirable but not essential)
Summary
The ideal premises combine excellent natural light, generous ceiling height, strong street presence and architectural character within a neighbourhood that encourages people to spend time locally.
Many interior elements can evolve over time.
The building itself cannot.