golucci embeds wooden box café into the concrete urban fabric of shanghai

golucci interior architects has completed the yijian café taking shape as a simple wooden box embedded in shanghai’s chaotic concrete urban fabric. the simple and clean design makes use of the limited space to accommodate the different functions, while letting the minimal interior encourage emotional interaction among users. 

all images courtesy of lulu xi

drawing influence from the sino-french apartments of the 1930s, golucci interior architects has generated a simple environment focusing on producing high-quality coffee for the customers. the structure is formed as a clean wooden box that can be opened and closed, while the large windows reveal the coffee roaster and the record player decorating the interior. this element is what softens the tension and conflict between the yijian café and the bars on the adjacent julu road. 

meanwhile, a long, metal coffee bar sits in the middle of the wooden box, which besides serving the functionality purpose also connects the wooden box with the original concrete body. ‘a simple wooden box, a long bar table, it appears simple yet complex,’ golucci interior architects shares. this simplicity/complexity paradox is what gives the café its poetic character, as well as its ability to evoke emotions among the customers.

project info:

name: one space with multiple expressions yijian cafe
architects: golucci interior architects
project team: lee hsuheng, xu jiaojiao, liu xiaoyang

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom