The café’s site is in a long, narrow, and exceptionally tall retail space. The design capitalizes upon the remarkable proportions of the interior volume, using a series of sculpturally folded vaults that expand upward to emphasize the verticality of the space. The deep and narrow proportions resulted in a limited amount of natural light passing into the space through a slender storefront slot at the entry. Through the introduction of a series of skylights at the 23-foot apex of each of the vaults, natural daylight is brought deep into the café.

The materials within the café are kept intentionally simple and subdued, so that the visual emphasis remains on the volume of the space. The white Corian service counter is a simple rectangular bar and hints of plain-sliced ash offer a visual counterpoint to the otherwise white interior surfaces.

The design’s philosophy lies at the intersection two lines of thought. On one hand, we were inspired by the geometric simplicity of origami, with its crisp folds and purity of form. On the other, we were inspired by the vaulted space and luminosity that is hallmark of so many places of spiritual reflection. Together, these points of reference influenced our design approach, shaping an interior space that offers a place of respite and tranquility within the bustling shopping center.

Photography: Adam Rouse