china‘s economic transition period, along with the everyday changing information and technology, results in rapid expansion of urbanization. people float up and away in the unshaped cities, following the monotonous day-to-day routine. all together tends to regularize, synchronize, even benumb the ways they think, live and feel. with the spirituality which are now imprisoned under the suits and ties, people are desperate to search for a way out that allows them to let their guards down, return to ego truly and experiencing freewheeling social activities in places such as teahouses and coffee shops.

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
‘.jpg coffee’ breaks the surrounding dense and towering gray tone with the dazzling yellow facade
all images by cao haochang

 

 

located in guangzhou, infinity nide‘s ‘.jpg coffee’ breaks the surrounding dense and towering gray tone with the dazzling yellow facade, just like the guiding light in a concrete jungle. entering into the dim interior, which is less than 25 m2 and sharply contrasts with the bright facade, a long concrete bar is set in the center and emphasizes the baristas and the coffee-making process. the limited but unconstrained activity space eliminates the sense of distance and baristas’ intimate service warms not only customers’ tastes but also their hearts.

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
the dim interior is less than 25 m2 and sharply contrasts with the bright facade

 

 

the architects fully covered the walls and ceiling with overlapped and crossed timbers. the timbers were originally wasted pine wood recycled from the construction site, the color of which became dark as charcoal after the carbonation process. through irregular interweave and assembly, the timbers enfold the whole space as if they are floating in vacuum. light from different angles travel through the gap, forming an impressive visual effect and creating a novel and unique spatial experience.

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
a long concrete bar is set in the center and emphasizes the baristas and the coffee-making process

 

 

the business model of take-away only and no tables and chairs settled within satisfies the fast-paced coffee experience of modern people and facilitate the open social behavior. in infinity nide’s ‘.jpg coffee’ there are only two beverage pallets being extended out from deep in the timbers by slender metals and set alongside the window. watching at the busy street outside with a freshly prepared coffee gives a temporary sense of belonging to the urban people leading a stressful busy life.

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
the architects fully covered the walls and ceiling with overlapped and crossed timbers

 

 

china is now reaching the excessively rapid urbanization period. the never-stopping shift in population, occupation, region, and culture can hardly maintain a sense of belonging for the modern people. over the long-term social distance and really repressed emotions deep down the hearts, the urban morbidity of insensitivity comes with a reason.

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
there are only two beverage pallets being extended out from deep in the timbers by slender metals

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
watching the busy street outside with a freshly prepared coffee gives a temporary sense of belonging

dim interior of infinity nide's café in china contrasts with bustling urban scene
the timbers were originally wasted pine wood recycled from the construction site

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom