THE SEAFRONT CAFE

Portobello Pause is our entry to Community Competitions’ first design competition which called for ideas to create a new destination for the promenade in Edinburgh.

Our proposal aims to support local enterprises with a pop-up shop situated in the café, bookable events/meeting spaces, and flexible external amenity areas for food trucks, makers’ markets, and wellness activities.

The buildings are positioned on the site to maximise active frontage along the promenade, while minimising obstruction of sea views from the neighbouring houses. The canopy to the front of the cafe offers a shelter from the elements and the building’s treated stained timber cladding continues over the existing toilet block to provide visual unity.

Portobello Pause is a sensitive yet bold response to its coastal setting, combining practicality and wellness in a flexible, community-focused design.