Bom Bom Patisserie at The Leisure Centre

The Project

Bom Bom Patisserie, a much-loved café franchise in the Loughborough area, approached me to design their fourth outlet within Charnwood Leisure Centre, and we were thrilled to dive into the project.

Collaborating with a designer friend, we developed a scheme that fused Bom Bom’s playful visual identity with a fresh burst of color and graphics inspired by the aesthetic of swimming pools. Working within a limited budget, we enjoyed the challenge of maximizing the use of existing furniture and structures, ensuring any new additions or alterations were as cost-effective as possible

DESIGN DETAILS
As with every project, the process began with thorough research. We spent time not only analyzing the existing space and building but also exploring intriguing visual and historical references. We uncovered fascinating images of municipal swimming pools from around the world and ultimately drew inspiration from these iconic structures to shape the scheme.

With children and families at the heart of the design, it was essential that the café felt fun and accessible, while also providing a welcoming environment for other leisure center users, including larger groups gathering after workouts. We created two main zones within the café, and the seating options were thoughtfully tailored to suit each area.

MATERIALS PALETTE
We carefully selected materials that would align with a swimming pool aesthetic. Simple square ceramic tiles were chosen for their timeless appeal, and we designed the fitted furniture to be tiled in dimensions that perfectly matched the standard tile sizes.

SWIMMING POOL VERNACULAR
The graphic language of swimming pools permeates the entire space. From hot-desk booths modeled after pool lanes to pool-ladder plant stands and fitted benches tiled in pool-style tiles, the design is a playful yet cohesive nod to swimming pool architecture.

FURNISHINGS
Given the tight budget for this project, we made it a priority to repurpose as much of the café’s existing furniture as possible. Chairs and table legs were sent to a car resprayer to be color-matched to four key colors from the scheme. Additionally, we sourced budget-friendly pieces from the high street to complement the design. Vintage and second-hand additions, like the diving-board-inspired Verner Panton chairs and the pool-ladder plant shelf, were carefully chosen to add character and complete the space.

HOT-DESK ‘POOLED RESOURCE’ AREA
Drawing inspiration from the visual language of swimming pool lanes, we transformed an existing booth area into a hotdesking zone. Each desk is equipped with individual plug sockets and light fittings, creating a functional and flexible workspace within the café.

KIDS MAGNETIC ACTIVITY WALL
Our thoughtful clients, Dan and Marta, wanted to provide a play area for older children that would keep toys off the floor and maintain a tidy space. We proposed several ideas and ultimately settled on a magnetic activity wall, inspired by Lego Dots. The design incorporates shapes from the Bom Bom logo and colors from our palette. This budget-friendly system keeps kids of all ages entertained while minimizing cleanup, making it a practical yet playful solution for the café."