There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Cafe Day: Reimagining Space Through Playful Adaptive Reuse
Within the streets of Shizuoka, Japan, an ordinary building goes through an extraordinary transformation. Cafe Day renews two traditional Japanese izakaya pubs into a contemporary coffee shop. It’s a project that espouses how community needs can still be retained with a new establishment such as a neighborhood gathering spot. Suppose Design Office crafts an enticing design with an imaginative combination of different tropes.
Recreating a Street into the Building
The designers start with a simple move to extend the street into the building. Asphalt replaces the previous flooring, which forms a tactile and visual consistency with the surrounding urban landscaping. Bold white lines reminisce of traditional road markings that guide visitors while yellow accents echo the adjacent driving school. It’s a playful take that explores how other aspects of our environment can be mimicked by architectural design.
The Cafe Day features a unique openness towards the surrounding urban fabric. The renovation removes previous sections of interior walls that further connects the interior with the outdoor. Because of this, the architects can blend in road elements into the heart of the design.
Outdoor seating further extends the cafe space into the adjacent areas. Landscaping is minimal, with only small potted vegetation flanking the entrance, reinforcing the urban character of the place.
Despite its playful character, the building still pays homage to its predecessor as existing structural elements are left exposed. The roof’s gable is a prominent feature on the frontage that showcases wood cladded slats. A restrained palette formed by white walls, natural wood, and colorful trimmings forms a modern appearance. Despite this, the design is still arguably aligned with traditional Japanese architecture.
Placing Coffee in the Driver’s Seat
The cafe continues the theme of creative repurposing with its furniture. It’s an assembly of references to the roads of Japan, whether it be from the perspective of car users, commuters, or pedestrians. Repurposed car seats are a nod to the area’s automotive history. Bus stop-inspired benches allude to the public amenities. The cafe’s character simulates the neighborhood’s past and present by taking in these everyday objects and refurbishing them in a different context.
Cafe Day’s material palette is impactful despite its restraint. Pops of color accent the materials and finishes to create a bright and airy atmosphere. The use of concrete, wood, and painted surfaces (crisp white, desaturated green, and bold yellow) is a typical application of Asian Zen interior design principles. This effect is further enhanced by the ample glazing that floods the space with natural light.
In terms of cafe design, the main service counter has a low and approachable profile. Open shelving displays products available that inform customers of the quality ingredients used to make their beverages. The layout is a balance between staff efficiency and guest comfort. At the rear, a small outdoor terrace forms a more intimate seating zone, while a small storage room sits adjacent to the main preparation area.
Creating a “Third Place” for the Locals
The Cafe Day offers its community a “third place” away from home and work. It presents itself as a hub for social interaction and neighborhood vitality brought together by its caffeinated products. Its design supports daily activities, whether it be deep working sessions, group meetings, or just simply enjoying a cup of coffee. The choice to make its space seamlessly strewn across the outdoors encourages chance encounters and immersion with the surroundings.
Through a process of repurposing and reimagining, Suppose Design Office introduces a vibrant destination that celebrates its context. It offers a model for adaptive reuse that supplements a local identity through a new lens, filled with references and strengthened with a functional use.
Read more: 3 Newly Opened Cafes with Different Characters in Metro Manila
Photo credit:Toshiyuki Yano
Every year, the holiday season brings a flurry of new decor trends. While it’s fun to experiment with the latest styles, sometimes it can be a little taxing and confusing keeping up with them. But the good news is that you don’t need to follow every trend to create a stunning Yuletide aesthetic. Here are […]
The ICA Art Fair happened from November 21 to 23 at W High Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). This inaugural art fair was organized as a charity event for the benefit of the ICA Alumni Association Scholarship Foundation. “This one-of-a-kind charity event will feature a curated selection of leading contemporary artists, displaying works across […]
Swiss architect and designer Aurel Aebi, co-founder of atelier oï alongside Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond, brings a tactile, storytelling approach to design. Visiting Manila for the Louis Vuitton Savoir Rêver exhibition, Aebi shared insights into their philosophy and process, demonstrating how everyday objects can transform into elegant, functional art pieces. At atelier oï’s studio […]
This 2024, we’ve seen a lot of emerging design ideas, taking inspiration from fashion, music, psychology, and philosophy, that changed the way we perceive interior spaces. And now that we’re approaching the Yuletide season, you might want to break away from your usual way of decorating and try something fresh and out of the ordinary. […]
Given the busy schedule of Dr. Aivee Teo—juggling the beauty care of top celebrities and offering free consultations and minor cosmetic surgeries in various barangays through her Beauty Beyond Borders program—it is no surprise that she views her home as a refuge and a space where she can spend time with her family. With the […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]