ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. PHILIPS | PH Coffee in Beijing, China by GB SpaceDecember 15th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: GB Space In a context distinguished by Italian coffee, GB Space applies Italian renaissance elements to the space and incorporates modern materials and textures therein, perfectly combining with the modern times while keeping the romantic charm of Renaissance. From electronics to coffee, from tradition to technology, from west to east, as one of the largest electronic brands in the world, PHILIPS, through such a carrier as traditional Italian coffee, integrates its own technological advantages and cooperates with GB Space in building the first cross-industry intelligent coffee shop in China. The challenge of this project is how to enhance the public’s recognition on the new brand image through interior design.
 Image Courtesy © Zou Lei
 Image Courtesy © Zou Lei PH COFFEE is located at Beijing Financial Street, a gathering place of numerous financial institutes and enterprise headquarters, covering consumer groups varying from white collars to students. The 170 m2 space mainly consists of the front desk area, exhibition area and private area. “PH COFFEE stands for pure Italian coffee. We associate Italy with many representative ancient Roman architectures.” Drawing inspiration from Italian coffee, GB Space starts from arch elements of ancient Roman architectures, and hope to make guests feel European fascination in the space through the restoration of lines. Based on the same design idea, metal lattice ceiling is the simplified ceiling of church during the Renaissance. The selection of these two elements indulges guests into Italian coffee atmosphere.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei In this case, arch elements run from exterior building through the whole interior space. Through the design of arched “doors” one by one, it clearly divides each indoor and outdoor functional area. The entrance window area and arched glass door firstly set the Italian culture image, and the organization of interior space relies on arched doors, combines with curved ground materials, and defines three functional areas. The front desk area takes bar counter as the focal point, with simple tables and chairs arranged in line with the overall indoor color tone; the interactive exhibition area is in the center of space, creatively combining the two different types of functional space — exhibition space and coffee shop; while the private sofa area creates a private coffee moment, accommodating both the vintage and modern features in soft decoration.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei To emphasis the idea of “contrast” between the past and modern times, GB Space played with materials instead. The contrast of rough arch vault with the exquisite metal suspended ceiling expresses the design concept of transforming from tradition to modern times. Coarse white ground tiles come to contrast with warm wood floor, meanwhile, small wooden checks inlaid therein highlight the design details, and the interwoven and interconnected method of ground materials makes the space transition more natural and outstanding.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei The most challenging part of this project is how to enhance the public recognition on the brand of “PH COFFEE” through interior design, bringing alternative experience for guests. Therefore, GB Space designed an interactive exhibition area in the center of the space, linking with traditional Italian coffee with technology innovation. The advantageous position gives full play to the uniqueness of this “free space” and integrates itself to the overall environment of coffee shop. PHILIPS fully automatic coffeemaker on the operation table is provided for guests to make coffee by themselves, making them feel the charm of modern intelligent technology as well as the unconstraint and casualness of European culture.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei Our design approach is to interpret traditional Italian elements from a contemporary point of view. We want our customers to enjoy a whole new experience in Italian styled venues within a contemporary context. Second, we want to combine exhibition and catering, two different commercial activities to generate more and richer recreational experiences. Visitors such as office workers and casual customers will experience satisfaction, happiness and freedom within our venue. This is the kind of space that we, as designers, love to see.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei About GB space GB space provides specialized services of international reach such as interior design, display design, household product design and art advisory. Concept—“Space can communicate” We firmly believe that space design must solve a problem and allow users to experience the nature of space at the same time.  Image Courtesy © Zou Lei At GB Space we are committed to provide our clients with a wide variety of solutions, by looking for new space usage patterns and possibilities and building unique brand images. Thus, we provide our clients with “design, project coordination and media promotion” services as a whole. About Wenny Gao  Wenny Gao, Image Courtesy © GB Space MA InteriorandSpatialDesign, Universityofthe Arts London. BA Architecture Department, Central Academyof Fine Arts. Wenny Gao have the background of interior design and architecture design, established GB space as a principle designer by the end of 2015. About Yang Bai  Yang Bai, Image Courtesy © GB Space MA InteriorandSpatialDesign, Universityofthe Arts London. BA Environmental Art Design, Beijing Forestry University. Yang Bai have the background of interior design and landscape design, established GB space as a principle designer by the end of 2015.
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Categories: Cafe, Restaurant |
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