Coffee and Design books are the mantra that holds up the Block at Mister Zen

 

Created as part of a challenge on this season's The Block, Mister Zen isn't merely riding the renovation reality television show's coat tails.

Natalie and Sam Osborne, who also own Piccolo in Prahran, met The Block crew several seasons ago and bought a coffee caravan to cater to the crew, contestants and tradies on the strength of the bond that formed. 

Now they've taken over the base of the old Hotel Saville site, home to The Blocktagon apartments for a bricks-and-mortar cafe.

 

The Block contestants helped build the venue under the direction of architect Julian Brenchley, resulting in a modern and clean combination of concrete and timber with a wraparound cabinet containing art and architectural books available to buy from Published Art Bookstore.