C1 Espresso

C1 Espresso has been an Ōtautahi Christchurch hospitality institution since it open its doors in the mid-90s.

Following the 2011 earthquake, the café re-established itself in the iconic Post Office Building — one of the few heritage-listed sites left standing on High Street, in the hip side of town. The move signified a new era for the brand, which needed a new look to match its new premises. 


Empowered by a wide-open creative brief, we set out to establish a deeply locational brand that honoured the strength and heritage of the beautiful deco building, while embracing the bohemian eclecticism of the old C1.

Over the past decade, this long time collaboration has resulted in hundreds of brand expressions: signage, menus, disposable coffee cups, food packaging, advertising, merchandise, websites, sub-brands, books. As well as a range of individual wholesale products, including juice bottles, coffee packaging and tea boxes.