Kahve
Situated at the border of Vancouver's vibrant design-focused Armoury District, Kahve enhances the city's blend of cultures. Derived from the Turkish term for 'coffee' that later transformed into 'café' in Italy, Kahve blends elements of a coffee shop and a showroom, infused with a serene Scandinavian touch. Amidst the area's burgeoning café scene, Kahve stands out with its polished interior. Crafted by a skilled artisan versed in traditional Japanese carpentry, it exudes a sleek minimalism using Douglas fir timber, polished concrete floors, quartz countertops, and an all-white interior. This design enhances the spaciousness and infuses ample light, even on gloomy days.
A prominent maple display wall featuring an array of Alessi coffee making equipment and George Jensen homewares was made using traditional Japanese joinery, referencing the wooden ‘Koushi’ screens seen in the Kyoto Machiya storefronts. Viewed from outside, the display wall makes it appear as if patrons are part of the window display. Kahve is quite literally the place to see and be seen.
Wood accents punctuate the predominantly white space, strategically proportioned and placed to evoke shifting perceptions of balance and gravity. The display wall appears weighty from an oblique angle, but delicate head-on. In contrast, the coffee bar seems solid when viewed directly, offset by a wood stack and supported by a block on the opposite corner. This connection transforms when viewed from behind, as the mass disintegrates into an empty space when you turn the corner.
The second façade's structure mirrors the Koshi screens found in Machiya storefronts, establishing a connection to the nearby Japanese memorial park. Elevated ambient lighting, inconspicuous in placement, blends with the outdoor environment, seamlessly extending the space outdoors. Pendant lighting and a display wall emit inviting warmth at eye level, infusing the area with comfort and openness, even in Vancouver's rainy season.
Kahve
Vancouver, BC
Location
Cafe/ Commercial Retail
Industry
Enflux
2016
Year
Client