COMPLETED NOVEMBER 2019
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
Boutique Cafe; Full-Scope Design
Text by Architect / Metagram
Espresso Alchemy Nina Tower / Metagram
The concept for the cafe was inspired by the rich red-brown colors of coffee crema. Using a white base to create an atmosphere of lightness and to reflect in maximum daylight, we used a selection of red toned materials, each with a unique quality to express different elements of the architecture.
See Metagram’s HK cafes Alchemy Origin / Espresso Alchemy Harbour City / Espresso Alchemy Nina Tower / Fineprint HKClick here to see other Asian cafes or Hong Kong cafes
The most visible event, the bar bench, positioned parallel to the mall corridor gives the frontage impetus and provides a strong visual edge to define the space. Clad in triangular terra-cotta pigmented concrete tiles with distinct three dimensional fluting, the dynamic material breaks down the monolith into a play of pattern and geometry.
The working surface, a carefully selected terrazzo, features shards of red marble; the material clads other spatial volumes providing a visual link.
Smokey red glass and antique mirror creates a product shelf built against the longest wall, providing a backdrop with ephemeral qualities and widening the appearance of the space. Glass at the store entry boldly frames a raw copper logo.
The floor, predominantly white is comprised of diamond mosaics with red grout; the oxidized iron pendant lights are suspended from “V” shape cords,both echoing geometric undertones. The ceiling is framed by a gypsum bulkhead which conceals the services whilst retaining ceiling height.
Finally, a compact arrangement of 35 white tables and chairs offer three modes of seating, fulfilling the commercial brief and providing a dynamic environment for patrons. The banquette base and a pair of fiddle figs add a splash of green, grounding the design.
Photography by Metagram
Project Location: Espresso Alchemy Nina Tower / Metagram
Shop G02, Nina Mall, 1 8 Yeung Uk Rd, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
