New Zealand Knoll Ridge Cafe: Best Designed Cafe in the World

New Zealand’s Knoll Ridge Cafe has been named the best designed cafe in the world by London-based design website Design Curial.

The New Zealand cafe is perched dramatically on Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand’s largest active volcano, in the North Island’s Tongariro National Park, which also is home to New Zealand’s largest commercial ski field Whakapapa.

Views are breathtaking at New Zealand’s highest café, which lies 2020 metres above sea level and features floor to ceiling glass facades.

When HB Architecture redesigned the cafe in 2009 after it had been destroyed by a fire, the unique location of the cafe proved challenging for the design team.

The architects had to account for the mountain’s severe weather conditions such as winds up to 200km/h and freezing temperatures and materials had to be delivered, placed and erected via helicopter because of the isolated location.

Design Curial reviewed 4000 cafes and coffeehouses across the globe to create the list stating the global Top 10 Best Designed Cafes.

Article Source: Design Curial, Katherine Houston, April 29, 2015.

Image Source: archello.com