Early Yuyen: Expanding the Café Experience Through Circular Design

Following the success of its first branch, Early BKK, the team behind this community-focused café has launched Early Yuyen—a new outpost nestled within the My Paws Backyard Dog Park in Soi Yuyen, Bangkok. Designed by Spacecraft Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Natchai Suwannapruk and Kaytita Chaisuksiri, Early Yuyen pushes the boundaries of sustainable interior architecture by embracing circular design strategies at every stage of development. From salvaged window frames to terrazzo countertops made from glass shards and roof tiles, this second branch continues the brand’s mission to merge hospitality with environmental consciousness.

We sat down with the design team at Spacecraft to understand how they transformed a former canteen into a cozy, pet-friendly café rooted in Reduce, Reuse, Refurbish, Recycle—and most importantly, community.

bay window Early-Yuyen-Spacecraft-Bangkok

What inspired the creation of Early Yuyen, and how did it build on the vision of Early BKK?

The driving question behind Early Yuyen was: “How far can circular strategies go in a real-world café project?” With Early BKK, we started the journey by using recycled and upcycled materials creatively. Early Yuyen allowed us to take that further by designing from a holistic sustainability framework from the start.

This time, the location was a former staff canteen at a dog park—a great setting for a family and pet-friendly community space. We knew it was an opportunity to explore circular strategies not just in material use, but also in design thinking, collaboration, and construction methods.

What were the first steps you took in applying circular design strategies?

We began with a workshop using the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “Butterfly Diagram” as our framework. The four key pillars were Reduce, Reuse, Refurbish, and Recycle, with an emphasis on Design for Disassembly.

“Reduce” meant preserving what already existed. We analyzed the site and salvaged what we could—structural components, restaurant furniture, aluminum profiles, and floor tiles. The idea wasn’t to strip the building bare, but to work with what was there, giving it a new identity without starting from scratch.

How did reused and repurposed elements shape the design language of the space?

They were fundamental to the project’s identity. For example, the main gate at the dog park was redesigned using reclaimed windows and door frames, forming an interlocking pattern that acts as a physical and symbolic threshold into Early Yuyen.

Inside, we reused operable and fixed windows from a reclaimed warehouse to create both ventilation and visual framing. The large window at the front acts as a design focal point and enhances airflow, reducing the need for mechanical cooling. These reused pieces not only reduce waste—they create a distinct visual narrative and tactile experience.

How did recycled materials and modular systems play into the interior and exterior finishes?

A big feature is the coffee bar, which uses terrazzo made from broken glass bottles and reclaimed roof tiles. This echoes the material storytelling we started at Early BKK. We also brought back Reboard, a material made from compressed milk cartons. It’s used for partition walls and modular waffle ceilings, all designed for easy disassembly and future reuse.

The exterior wall features Ecobricks—blocks made from shredded plastic—highlighting the potential of fully recycled products. Even small design gestures, like cladding and flooring, integrate multiple reused components, creating a cohesive, earth-toned palette that feels warm, human, and intentional.

Can you tell us about the furniture strategy and your collaboration with AThing?

We worked with AThing, a studio specializing in recycled furniture, to refurbish and reinvent what was already on site. The old canteen chairs were reupholstered using used clothes and canvas, which gave them a completely new character while avoiding landfill.

We also introduced movable benches made from recycled plastic caps in the semi-outdoor area, which allows for flexibility in seating arrangements. This approach supports both the circular design mission and the practical needs of a family- and pet-oriented space.

What does Early Yuyen represent in the broader conversation around sustainable design in Thailand?

We see Early Yuyen as a living case study. It’s not perfect, and we don’t claim to be fully circular yet—but it’s a meaningful “early” step in that direction. It demonstrates how interior architecture, sustainability, and community engagement can come together in a way that’s both practical and inspiring.

Most importantly, it shows what’s possible when multiple disciplines and like-minded collaborators work together under a shared vision. We hope it encourages others in design, construction, and hospitality to explore similar paths and continue pushing toward a more circular, conscious future.