An Inviting Bakery in a Converted Convent
A bakery, kitchen and specialty coffee bar designed by TERRE, Dough layers historic elements with modern elegance
Dough is an all-day cafe tucked into a quiet corner of lifestyle complex CHIJMES in Singapore. Formerly housing the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), founded by French Catholic nuns in the early 1850s, the enclave is now occupied by a slew of restaurants and lifestyle services. Dough is reached via shadowed corridors with decorative columns, wrought-iron staircases and geometric floor tiles, and part of the complex’s storied narrative continues into the cafe, adding to its allure.
Conceived by coffee roasters Glyph Supply Co. and designed by TERRE, Dough’s speciality is gourmet bakes like fougasse with sundried tomatoes and strawberry brioche topped with crispy meringue clouds. The bakery’s focus on quality ingredients and the finesse and artistry of the cooking process inspired the concept, which sees a show kitchen by the entrance designed to enhance the interaction with customers. From here, an undulating counter guides patrons to the main seating area with tables and chairs, bar stools and a long window bench.
‘Details like curved corners, considered material joints and the honesty and visual weight of materials was important in complementing the functional layout, which is fluid but marked with anchors for intuitive wayfinding,’ says Terence Chan, founder of TERRE. A clean yet hardworking palette of natural stone — including Bianco Carrara and Statuarietto on countertops — sandblasted oak timber veneers and cork is accented by more textural white finger tiles, fabrics and solid timbers.
Comfortable and timeless seats from Danish design brands Fritz Hansen and Carl Hansen & Søn mingle with a bevy of beautiful lights. The Santa & Cole Dórica floor lamp, Shogun table lamp from Artemide and Pipistrello table lamp by Martinelli Luce all add a personal touch, their sophisticated forms and craft keeping with the building’s aged grace.
The heritage building came with its own existing quirks, which the design team used to give the cafe its distinctive character. The modest ceiling height creates a sense of intimacy, while the one-sided window allows for changes in mood: it’s brighter by the window and cosier further inwards. Existing columns in all their decorative glory dot the space like elegiac sculptures to be admired, their iconic presence complemented by the design team’s preference for clearly defined shapes. Subtle details like the curvy stone-like door handles adhere to the theme of sinuous lines, elevating the cafe experience.
Text / Luo Jingmei
Images / Marc Tan of Studio Periphery
Dough’s speciality is gourmet bakes like fougasse with sundried tomatoes and strawberry brioche topped with crispy meringue clouds
