Au Pain Doré bakery by Naturehumaine features slatted wood ceiling
Wooden planks add warmth to the otherwise monochrome interior of this bakery and coffee shop in Montreal by local architects Naturehumaine (+ slideshow).
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
Naturehumaine was challenged to give this branch in the Au Pain Doré chain a contemporary look when reorganising and extending the bakery, located on the ground floor of a three-storey building in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood.
"The spatial concept of the project was inspired by the lattice of wooden bread baskets," said the architects. "The randomised rhythmic lattice provides a dynamism experienced as you enter the bakery."
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
A frame of wooden beams and supports is inserted along the narrow space, with vertical elements at regular intervals.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Lengths of wood are attached between the beams, leaving gaps to allow better ventilation and to expose the black surface above.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The timber is also used to create shelves, tops and panels for the serving counter, which runs along the full length of one wall in the main space.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
The barista area is located at the front of the unit, where bar seating is positioned along the glass frontage facing the street.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
A kink in the serving counter denotes the move into to the bakery area further along and allows for further seating against the opposite wall.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
White tiles line both walls, contrasting with the black kitchen units, shelf brackets and menu board.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
Glass display units built into the counter and shelving behind the preparation area are designed to show off the baked produce.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Higher wood panels hide the adjacent kitchen from view, while a black box contains the washrooms.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
The top of the box extends across the ceiling to break up the wooden lattice, separating the serving area on one side and the dining space on the other.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
Tables and bench seating furnish the rear portion, which looks out onto a small terrace through full-height windows.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
Spotlights and exposed bulbs are hung from the ceiling to illuminate the shop, suspended over work surfaces and eating spots.
![Au Pain Dore by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Au_Pain_Dore_by_Naturehumaine_dezeen_1.gif)
Photography is by Adrien Williams.