INEX design builds mu-a, a tranquil dessert café above downtown daegu

INEX design builds mu-a, a tranquil dessert café above downtown daegu
all images © jae yoon kim

in a forest of heavy concrete buildings, narrow roads, and dense alleys of downtown daegu, korea is ‘mu-a’; a dessert café by INEX design. the drop by bistro is built as a cantilevered structure, and the mass of the first floor hovers above the sidewalk. the entrance acts as a buffering space between the road and building, separating the floating tranquility of the shop and the hectic street outside. 

the structure is set back to separate the chaos of outside and the serenity inside

the restaurant is split into three floors. a main kitchen is present on the main floor, with small auxiliary kitchens in the basement and on the top level. meals are prepared in the main kitchen, then carried up and down via dumbwaiter. a small tea room floats above the top floor, where sunlight pours through the skylights creating a dream like atmosphere. 

the façade’s electric louver system allows the building to breath naturally

the front façade is a fully functional louver system that allows the building to breath naturally and adapt to light and wind. INEX used wood, steel, traditional mulberry tree papers, and stone plainly and cleanly throughout; woven wooden ceiling frames emphasize the identity of the building and stabilize the tea room in its location. the café is a great place to steal away for a few moments before heading back out into the commotion of daily life. 

 
dining space

a small pond is located between the hall of the second floor and service area 

the space varies between open and narrow expanses

the bistro has three levels, and a forth semi-floor for the tea room

INEX design used simple materials modestly and cleanly 

steps to tea room

the tea room floats lightly above the top floor

the space can be opened to view the rest of the café 

the louver was derived from the traditional bunhapmuns (a flexible window that also functions as a wall) 

the façade can open or close as weather permits

elevations and floor plans

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.