Nana Coffee Roasters Bangna
editor Han Jeong-min writing Youngjin Jeong edit Yejin Kim
Data provided IDIN Architects
The Bangna district in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is an urban area located where the Chao Phraya River meets. This is a lively area all year round, with a large shopping mall, street vendors, and other things to enjoy, starting with the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), which hosts various fairs and events in Thailand. Near the highway that runs through the lively city, a fresh cafe that focuses solely on coffee has opened. This is a building where greenery seeps into every corner of the divided mass, bringing peace to the mind.
Nana Coffee Roasters Bangna is a form in which three masses were added to the space next to the existing building. In order to share the same architectural language, it was designed with a slanted roof following the slanted roof line of the existing building. The trees growing in between give a sense of unity to the entire building. The landscaping against the backdrop of the pure white building provides natural views to the space while protecting interior privacy by blocking views from the outside. The glass mosaic used on the cafe ceiling reflects the landscape and brings the green area into the mass.
The space was designed to focus solely on coffee. By focusing on coffee, we help customers open their senses and have a rich experience while drinking coffee. Therefore, tables were placed along the edges to create an atmosphere where people could calmly savor coffee rather than spend time chatting. The bumpy table top creates a slight sense of tension the moment you place the coffee cup, and this design is also reminiscent of the mountain range where the coffee beans originate.
Meanwhile, black was used as the main color, creating a comfortable atmosphere as if sitting under the shade of a tree. A slow bar was installed at the front of the renovated existing building to create a space where baristas and customers can have in-depth conversations. The bathroom located at the back of the building is designed in the form of a pod surrounded by gradient translucent glass, and like the main space, it contains a lot of blue energy. Even small elements such as signboards were not overlooked and details were added to create hidden devices that can only be discovered by looking closely.
The cafe’s architecture, interior, and landscaping are connected by one concept, creating an ambiguous space where gaze naturally crosses the inside and outside of the building. In an area where the boundaries between inside and outside are blurred, customers enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee, a step away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Project: NANA Coffee Roasters Bangna / Location: Bangkok, Thailand / Architect: IDIN Architects / Interior designer: IDIN Architects / Landscape architect: TROP: Terrains + Open Space / Contractor: Wimutti Construction Limited Partnership / Client: NANA Coffee Roasters Bangna Co., Ltd. / Usable area: 250m² / Completion: 2021.8.20. / Opening year: 2022.5.23. / Photograph: ©W Workspace (courtesy of the architect)
