Green is easy on the eye

Plantecaféen in Aarhus is a café and a plant shop rolled into one. A welcoming place with the wonderful atmosphere created by a holistic mindset.

Photo: Helene Høyer Mikkelsen, architect m.a.a.

In the new Godsbanen cultural and creative district in central Aarhus, Plantecaféen is located in Æggepakkeriet, a new residential development with commercial and retail units on the ground floor. Plantecaféen was originally established in one of the older buildings at the nearby Institut for X, but had to make way for local redevelopment.

Now the café has a wonderful area outside that allows for al fresco dining, with herbs for sale, for example. The plant shop and the café each have their own entrance, but inside there is open access between shop and café. Beyond the café is a function room available for hire.

Sustainable materials 

Plants hang from the ceilings and from the counter, and when the sun shines, you feel yourself relaxing in these almost tropical surroundings. The interior makes extensive use of recycled furniture and porcelain, in keeping with the gentle rhythm of the place.

Inside, robust Troldtekt acoustic panels were chosen for the ceilings, useful for regulating the humidity created by the plants, and establishing comfortable acoustics in the shop, café and function room. Troldtekt is Cradle to Cradle Certified® in the Gold category. The window section in the function room was also picked up second-hand, adding to the charm of the place.

Sacha and Andreas, who established Plantecaféen back in 2016, explain: “We wanted to create a place that’s visually stimulating and which inspires creativity, and a place for spending memorable moments in good company.”