02/05/2026

LYFE SATURDAY | MAY 2, 2026

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S TEP inside Grumpy Bagels 1905, and the past greets you before the first whiff of dough. The space is a study in heritage and restraint, where soaring ceilings, weathered brick and patinated metal meet Cosentino surfaces, selected with the same care as the bagels themselves. For Claire Tan, this is more than a bakery cafe. “It is a labour of craft and care. Designed to feel layered, soulful and intentional, a place that feels like it has lived many lives and carries stories within its walls,” she said. Every decision, from walls to surfaces, was made with that spirit in mind. The design honours the timeline of the building, preserving its history while allowing it to evolve into a working bakery-cafe. Poi Studio approached the project as stewardship and dialogue. “We have always loved heritage buildings, spaces that carry memory in their walls, textures and an honesty that cannot be manufactured. The design creates a conversation between the old and the new rather than a stark contrast. Inspired by Tan’s passion for baking as craft, we approached the interiors with the same humility and precision,” said Dilly Chai. In the kitchen countertop and bathroom, Cosentino surfaces quietly define moments of function and pause. Heart of bakery cafe: Designing the countertop For Tan, the kitchen is not just a back-of-house space. “It is the heart of everything. I wanted it to be functional, but also beautiful and inspiring. Most of my team spends their days here, and when the environment feels good, it inspires them to feel good about their work too,” she explained. Designing a working bakery cafe posed unique challenges. Heat, moisture, flour dust and constant cleaning meant surfaces needed to perform under real conditions, not just look good on opening day. Workflow was also crucial, as Tan’s team bakes actively

Bathroom as design statement to complete bakery experience For most customers, the bathroom is a subtle yet telling part of the overall cafe experience. “People often underestimate how much the bathroom contributes to the overall experience of a space. It is actually one of the most telling signs of how much a place cares about its customers. A beautiful cafe with a neglected bathroom breaks the whole spell,” Tan explained. At Grumpy Bagels 1905, customers are discerning and notice details, sharing their experiences online. “They remember how a space made them feel from the moment they walked in to the moment they left. The bathroom was never an afterthought. It is an extension of the same love and intention we put into every other part of the space.” Tan wanted the bathroom to feel cohesive with the rest of the building, carrying the same sense of timelessness and quiet luxury. The tones, textures and warm, lived-in aesthetic of the main bakery cafe continue here. She also envisioned it as a small moment of calm, a space where visitors feel slightly transported. Every detail was intentional. “Quality should be consistent throughout, not just in places people immediately notice. The bathroom gets heavy daily use, is exposed to water and humidity, and needs to hold up beautifully over time without high maintenance. Every corner of Grumpy Bagels 1905 deserves the same level of care, from the kitchen to the bathroom.” Design that lasts beyond first bite At Grumpy Bagels 1905, every surface, every detail and every choice was made with craft, heritage and longevity in mind. Tan with her creation set atop her countertop designed with Dekton Nacre from the Kraftizen collection by Cosentino.

Shaped by heritage o Inside century-old British-era train garage in Sentul, Grumpy Bagels 1905 reimagines history as old-school bakery cafe, framing story of craft, memory, time Every surface, every detail and every choice was made with craft, heritage and longevity in mind.

Tan puts the finishing touches on a cake, working atop a countertop finished in Dekton Nacre from the Kraftizen collection by Cosentino.

areas also helped maintain a consistent material language throughout the space, creating a quiet sense of cohesion. “What I always look for in a stone-look surface is whether the colour sits in the right register. Not too saturated, not washed out, not over-processed. The travertine-inspired finishes have a natural depth and quietness to them that reads as authentic within the space. “In Grumpy Bagels 1905, we were working with aged brick, patinated metal and original concrete, materials with real history in them. The surface had to sit within that conversation without looking like it was trying too hard to be natural. It carries its own weight as a material while complementing the rawness of the heritage elements around it while still delivering the performance needed for a professional bakery cafe, the heart of Grumpy Bagels 1905,” said Chai. Here, heritage, craft, sustainability and modern performance converge, creating a bakery cafe that is as functional as it is aspirational.

during service hours. Ergonomics, hygiene and ease of maintenance were non-negotiable. “We work with dough every

Tan with her bagel offerings on her Dekton Nacre countertop.

single day. There is flour, water, heat and all kinds of ingredients. I

needed surfaces that could handle the intensity of a real working kitchen without showing wear, scratches

perform technically and visually while integrating seamlessly with the heritage architecture. “For this project, we wanted

materials that would sit comfortably within the heritage environment of the building. The tones and textures from Cosentino have a refined, stone-like quality that complements the aged character of the structure without competing with it. Using the same material family in the baking and bathroom

or compromising cleanliness, so that it can maintain its natural beauty over the

years,”

Tan explained. Poi Studio understood the material had to

Brewing Malaysia’s next creative wave

S TA R BUCK S Malaysia has announced The Kopi Creator Kolektif (KCK) Class of 2026, unveiling 10 emerging Malaysian artists, five musicians and five filmmakers, selected for a creator development programme featuring industry-led masterclasses and mentorship. KCK is a creative platform by Starbucks Malaysia designed to support young Malaysian talent by connecting emerging musicians and filmmakers with creative collectives and industry mentors. The programme serves as an incubator for creative growth, with Starbucks coffeehouses providing the space where ideas can be developed, shared and discovered. For many people, coffeehouses are where ideas begin, connections deepen and creative work gets done. Cafes are valued not only as places to eat and drink, but also to socialise, discuss, work and complete assignments. The finalists will present their original music and film teasers on May 16 at Starbucks

Reserve IOI Mall Damansara. Each music finalist will perform at least one original song, while film finalists will premiere a teaser from the film concepts they pitched. This will be a moment of discovery where Malaysians can encounter new voices, and creators can step forward with work they have developed through the programme. The winning musician will receive a four-track EP recording deal, while the winning filmmaker will receive the production of their original short film, with each prize valued at RM10,000. KCK debuted in late 2025 with intimate live music sessions in a Starbucks coffeehouse featuring 13 homegrown talents, such as Amanda Imani, An Honest Mistake and Resort. Today, the platform is expanding beyond music to feature aspiring filmmakers and creating more ways for Malaysians to discover and champion local creativity in Starbucks coffeehouses.

The initiative selects 10 emerging Malaysian creatives, including five musicians and five filmmakers, for a new development programme aimed at supporting local talent through mentorship, workshops and live showcase opportunities.