Cafe Zolaism. BLUE Architecture Studio

Inspired by nature, by the beauty of its rudeness, BLUE Architecture Studio designs a cafeteria for one of the most popular coastal tourist communities near Beijing, Aranya Town

The new business, specialized in Chinese traditional desserts Zolaism, has a total area of ​​170 square meters. A design that starts from nature, a place where human beings are small solitary entities surrounded by the immense beauty of the world.

Hoping to immerse its visitors in a quiet space, a place to escape from the rhythm of urban life, the Zolaism business project makes use of a contrast concept with respect to current cities, through an architecture based on spirituality where the shape and natural materials are the basis for this incredible coffee.

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

The cafeteria and shop is understood under an eaves that starts from the main building that gives shape to the tourist complex. Several man-made rocks, naturally shaped and textured, are strategically scattered, supporting a large eave. With its back against the north façade of the original cinema building, the architecture of Café Zolaism presents itself with three sides of glass curtain wall enclosures, forming a complex space that seamlessly integrates interior and exterior. The organic shape of the stones, of different sizes, play a fundamental role as concealed supporting structurewhile helping, at the same time, to divide the different functional areas of the cafe.

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

Inside the two largest rocks there are private rooms, and its structure combines the function of fixed seats at the bottom. The other seating spaces extend freely through the gaps between the rest of the rocks. The distribution gives the whole space a sense of fluidity and opennessgiving guests an ever-changing spatial experience as they walk through the premises.

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complex

The shapes of the large stones were created by pouring GRC. The natural texture of fiberglass reinforced concrete, reveals the thick and heavy texture of the rocks while forming a strong visual contrast with the lightness and transparency of the surrounding glass. The glass wallsFull-height, frameless, they introduce a large amount of natural light into the interior space as well as an interesting dynamic play of light and shadow that changes over time, giving guests a feeling of rest in nature.

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complexImage courtesy of BLUE Architecture Studio

Despite the fact that the design and construction process was not easy, even after the execution of several models at different scales to organize and understand the construction process, the design team ultimately decided to let go and make use of their intuition and common sensebacked by his knowledge and experience, to create the modeling of the space.

Architecture and Business, China, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, cafeteria, interior design, interior design, business, shop, nature, rock, glass, curtain wall, BLUE Architecture Studio, Eiichi Kano, Zolaism, Aranya Town, tourist complexImage courtesy of BLUE Architecture Studio

Finally, and after a construction process full of unknowns and uncertainties, the architecture was successfully completed. An architecture with such a design and construction process cannot be replicated or replaced, which endows the space with unique values, sensations and strength. Finally achieving exactly what both the architects and the client himself were looking for, an environment close to nature, irrational and intuitive, which encourages people to put aside the burden of urban life to achieve relaxation and mental freedom.

BLUE Architecture Studio

Photograph of eichi kano

Cafe Zolaism. BLUE Architecture Studio