Designer's Note
“This project is a renovation of an existing % store in Hangzhou, a city known for its rich harmony of nature and culture, centered around the iconic West Lake. The original façade reimagined the orderly windows of Song Dynasty pagodas, stacking jute coffee bean bags 12 meters high to blend local tradition with a modern, warehouse-like scale.
The renewed design deepens this fusion by drawing inspiration from classical Chinese gardens. A narrow, bonsai-like indoor landscape now runs through the store’s center, naturally separating the order and seating areas while adding warmth and function.
Architecturally, the space echoes Song-era approach paths with mirrored walls that visually double the depth and a pitched gable ceiling that amplifies scale. Contemporary materials like perforated metal, common in coffee machinery, introduce an industrial texture and mystery.
This store merges tradition and innovation, expressing both the cultural identity of Hangzhou and the modern spirit of % Arabica.”
– Archiee
