Cenchi Coffee

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

Cenchi Coffee 

SpaceStation

ARCHITECTS
Spacestation

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Zheng Wang

ENGINEERING
Beijing Zhongying Hong'an Architectural Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd

CONSTRUCTION DRAWING PRINCIPAL
Hui Xu

CLIENTS
Cenchi Coffee

DESIGN TEAM
Huiqin Liao

MANUFACTURERS
Beijing Shengyu Sinao Building Materials, Golden Autumn Plate, Qieruixi

PHOTOGRAPHS
Weiqi Jin

AREA
8 M²

YEAR
2023

CATEGORY
Coffee Shop, Interior Design

LOCATION
Chaoyang, China

Cenchi Coffee Jiaodaokou shop is quite diminutive, its size a mere 8 square meters.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

This project began at the end of the pandemic, which also led directly to the choice of this small empty site.

Our thought stream went along these lines: The epidemic has brought cataclysmic changes to the lives of a great many people, and if even face-to-face breathing hides potential danger, then what does it really mean to "have a cup of coffee together"?

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

Our friendship with the creators of Cenchi Coffee comes a long way.

They hoped this project would push beyond the commonplace of "window shop" cafés so that the 8 square meters of the venue could provide a galvanizing communication space for patrons.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

Two easily available materials were picked for our proposal: multi-layer panels were selected for all interior furniture, allowing us to squeeze out two seating areas facing the urban landscape.

Indoor and outdoor interfaces apply the customary bridge-cutoff aluminum alloy door and window system uniformly applied by the adjoining stores.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

The difference lies in that each window frame has a handle, the opening direction of the doors and windows, and the force nodes have been redesigned.

Additionally, careful consideration is given to human scale: seats, tables, awnings, signboards, and other furniture can be assembled by patrons just by the act of opening the window sashes.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

This project explores the possibilities of building in culturally-loaded locations such as the streets of Beijing’s old city.

Our scheme transforms the architectural elements of the facade into furniture, to a great extent, it bears a direct similarity to the spontaneous construction and "borrowing" of building components commonly practiced by local residents.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

By observing and conceptualizing this form of "borrowing", we aspire to elevate it to abstract thinking, while bringing in a solution that feels familiar and easy to grasp.

Furthermore, the venue allows patrons to sit on the floor or on the steps, blurring boundaries between indoor and urban spaces.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

The scenes of spontaneous neighborhood life that made the very fabric of the hutongs are presented anew in a designed way.

As architects, we aim to embrace an "optimistic" attitude through this project.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN

This venue will not only show a very open posture, but hopefully, it will also be a site where "events that can only happen in urban space" take place, thus encouraging reluctant patrons to leave their abodes and dip back into city life.

Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN
Cenchi Coffee
© WeiQi JIN


Cenchi Coffee
Plan