Sugar Sweet Bakery
2,300 square feet | tucson, arizona
architect: repp + mclain design & construction
general contractor: repp + mclain design & construction
materials: adler butcher block, powder coated steel, dimensional tile & smooth texture drywall
photographs: Liam Frederick
Sugar Sweet Bakery occupies a narrow, light-filled retail space within the historic Broadway Village shopping center in midtown Tucson. The design centers around a singular, strategic intervention: a simple wooden “box” inserted into the heart of the floor plan. This architectural volume serves as the primary organizing element, neatly separating the bustling kitchen from the retail functions while concealing the office, restroom, and storage areas. By keeping this central core low-profile, the building’s industrial character is preserved, allowing mechanical ducts to float overhead as a nod to the space’s raw utility.
The materiality of the bakery is designed to be as tactile as the goods it serves. A warm, expansive butcher block countertop provides a focal point for displaying delectable baked goods, grounding the retail area with a sense of craft.
Spanning the entire length of the shop, a floor-to-ceiling chalkboard runs from the front of the house to the back. This continuous surface acts as a visual thread that unites the space, offering a dynamic canvas for daily menus and hand-drawn art that reflects the bakery’s creative spirit.
