SOAR creates a jungle-like interior for renovated café and workspace in bangkok

thai architecture firm SOAR has transformed an old building in bangkok into an open plan café and workspace that feels more like being outdoors than indoors. called ‘TOO CAN CAFÉ’, the renovation involved small adjustments and improvements to bring new life into the space while retaining the original character of the building.

images courtesy of SOAR (space oddity architect)

SOAR began the project by removing the front part of the second floor, resulting in the creation of a double-height space and a mezzanine level, which establishes visual connection between the floor levels. part of the roof has also been replaced with sheets of transparent roofing, allowing natural light to permeate into the interior and giving the exterior of the building a lighter appearance. 

the floor of the café is covered with locally-sourced bricks arranged in a herringbone pattern. to make the space feel more like being outside, the architect populated the café with a variety of plants and trees, creating an urban jungle aesthetic. mix-matched furniture also occupies the space, including a stone coffee bar and a bright orange vespa. in between the new interventions, SOAR left the original building structure exposed. old beams and scars in the wall where beams used to be are left untouched, tracing the history of the place.

project info:

name: TOO CAN CAFÉ

location: bangkok, thailand

architect: SOAR (space oddity architect)

year: 2019

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: lynne myers | designboom