Crosby Studios has designed a striking butter-yellow interior for Butter Baby, a dessert shop in Jakarta that transports visitors into an otherworldly experience. The design firm, based in Paris and New York, created a completely monochromatic space inspired by a whimsical alien narrative that serves as the foundation for the shop's unique brand identity.
The interior design revolves around the fictional story of Butter Baby, a plump, soft-cheeked alien character who has crash-landed on Earth from his home planet called Butterlandia. According to the shop's backstory, this alien protagonist is on a mission to find butter rich with emotion to save his fading home world, and now bakes desserts on Earth to restore warmth and brightness through his creations.
The space immerses customers in what designers call "the glowing world of Butterlandia" through a completely saturated butter-yellow color scheme that covers every surface. Walls, lighting fixtures, and all furnishings are coated in this vibrant hue, creating a surreal, monochromatic environment that feels like stepping into another dimension. The design language is defined by organic geometry, glossy reflective surfaces, and carefully diffused lighting throughout.
The main dining area flows through a series of fluid chambers with curved, cocoon-like walls and built-in seating that evoke an authentic alien habitat atmosphere. Oversized circular ceiling fixtures provide soft illumination and resemble suns or planetary discs floating above the space. These lighting elements contribute to the otherworldly ambiance while ensuring the space feels warm and inviting rather than sterile.
Throughout the shop, Crosby Studios incorporated biomorphic design elements that reinforce the alien theme. Mushroom-like stools and amorphous tables continue the organic language, while the pastry counter itself appears as a sculptural landscape rather than traditional retail furniture. Rounded windows and niches are strategically placed to offer glimpses into the kitchen and display areas, maintaining visual connection while preserving the space's flowing aesthetic.
The glossy finish applied to all surfaces reflects light in soft gradients, creating an amplified feeling of weightlessness and warmth that supports the narrative of being in an alien environment. Fluid forms, reflective surfaces, and the consistent monochromatic yellow tone work together to create a cohesive otherworldly experience for visitors.
Specific design elements throughout the space directly reference the character-driven brand's animated backstory. A distinctive bubble-shaped display dome positioned at the center of the shop houses small objects presented as artifacts from Butterlandia, adding authenticity to the fictional narrative. Built-in alcoves strategically placed around the interior contain collectible figurines of the Butter Baby character, allowing customers to connect with the brand's mascot.
The Jakarta flagship location embodies the same spirit as the character's mission, successfully combining storytelling and pop culture elements with Crosby Studios' signature futuristic visual language. The result is an immersive retail environment that goes beyond simply selling desserts to create a complete branded experience that customers can physically explore and enjoy.
