Architectural Cases

Atelier L has crafted a distinctive coffee pavilion for Kurasu in Beijing's Taikoo Li Sanlitun, drawing profound inspiration from the iconic form of the pour-over coffee dripper. This innovative pop-up structure seamlessly blends the art of coffee preparation with architectural design, creating a space that is both functional and aesthetically engaging. The design meticulously translates the fluid geometry of the dripper into a dynamic interplay of forms and materials, fostering a unique dialogue between interior tranquility and the lively urban environment.

The temporary installation, strategically placed within the bustling Taikoo Li Sanlitun, spans approximately 8 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width, reaching a peak height of 3.5 meters. The core of the design lies in its 'dual vessels' concept, which reimagines the Kurasu pour-over dripper as two interlinked architectural masses. These volumes are characterized by their folded configurations and a lightweight structural aesthetic, creating an illusion of effortless construction.

The larger of the two structures serves as an intimate, inward-focused area dedicated to coffee brewing and customer service. Its inverted silhouette establishes a secluded interior ambience, providing a serene escape from the surrounding street activity. A central linear counter efficiently guides customer flow, clearly delineating service and public zones within the confined footprint. Subtle angling of the walls not only maximizes operational space behind the counter but also amplifies the perceived depth of the customer area, enhancing the overall spatial experience.

In stark contrast, the smaller volume boldly extends outwards, featuring a cantilevered projection that engages directly with the streetscape. This versatile element functions as a display area, seating arrangement, and a dynamic urban interface, bridging the pavilion with the public thoroughfare of Sanlitun. The thoughtful placement of this intervention positions the structure as both a retail outlet and a miniature public art installation, enriching the urban fabric.

An adaptable glass roof system imbues the compact pavilion with environmental responsiveness. It adjusts to varying seasons and weather conditions while preserving visual transparency, offering glimpses of the surrounding trees and the shifting daylight. This feature strengthens the pavilion’s connection to the external atmosphere, despite its location within a dense urban setting.

The material palette of the pavilion pays homage to Kurasu’s product design language and the broader tradition of Kyoto craft. Brushed stainless steel, wood-grain aluminum, and textured beige finishes create a compelling contrast between reflective and warm textures. These materials were chosen for their durability and ease of assembly, reflecting Atelier L’s consistent material strategy, as seen in Kurasu’s Shenzhen location, which also juxtaposes cool exterior surfaces with inviting interior warmth.

The entire structure is anchored by a steel base that subtly elevates at the corners, evoking the delicate, folded quality of origami. This design choice, combined with surrounding elements such as dark gravel, natural stone slabs, and strategically placed rocks, creates a courtyard-like ambiance around the pavilion, expanding the spatial experience beyond its physical boundaries.

Inside, the interplay of curved surfaces and folded edges gently diffuses light throughout the compact space, creating a soft, ambient glow. As evening descends, the stainless steel exterior mirrors the urban lights, while the interior lighting accentuates the enclosed nature of the space and highlights the rich textures of the materials.

Instead of imposing a generic retail identity, Atelier L approached this project as an exploration of spatial adaptation and cultural interpretation. Through meticulous planning, disciplined material selection, and layered spatial arrangements, the Kurasu Pop-Up successfully integrates coffee preparation, urban engagement, and architectural artistry into the dynamic daily life of Beijing’s commercial heart.

Yuko Mohri, a celebrated Japanese artist, has brought her expansive solo exhibition, 'Entanglements,' to Europe at Centro Botín in Spain. Following her distinguished participation at the Venice Art Biennale 2024, Mohri transforms the Renzo Piano-designed art center into an immersive experience of sound, motion, energy, and spontaneity. Her installations feature kinetic sculptures, self-playing instruments, and intricate electronic setups, all influenced by environmental elements such as humidity, dust, and air, blurring the lines between artistic creation and natural processes. This exhibition, which began at Pirelli HangarBicocca and has been enriched with new paintings and a site-specific film inspired by the local coastline in Santander, underscores Mohri’s ongoing fascination with the hidden systems and forces that govern our world, drawing inspiration from experimental music, common items, and organic phenomena.

Mohri’s artistic philosophy posits that these unseen forces are neither inherently optimistic nor disturbing but rather intrinsic elements of existence, constantly molding our reality whether we perceive them or not. Sound plays a pivotal role in her work, rooted in her background in fine arts and her time in the punk band Sisforsound, which continues to influence her rhythmic and sensory approach. Her installations feature pianos reacting to natural recordings, electronic systems powered by decaying fruit, and motors, fans, and scanners contributing to unique sonic arrangements. Mohri encourages audiences to pay attention to the ambient sounds typically filtered out, asserting that acknowledging these background noises can profoundly alter one’s perception of a space. This sensitivity extends to her choice of materials, as she recontextualizes ordinary objects like spoons, umbrellas, and kitchen tools into surprisingly delicate and impactful systems, demonstrating how mundane items can achieve a profound sense of novelty through unexpected applications.

Mohri crafts fluid environments that are perpetually influenced by their surroundings, with her artworks adapting to air currents, moisture levels, and electrical feedback, sometimes even incorporating debris from the exhibition space itself. These installations are dynamic and never truly static, evolving with time much like living entities, fostering an open dialogue with the audience. Visitors become active participants within these systems, contributing to the flow of sound, movement, and energy. The exhibition’s core concept, 'Entanglements,' emphasizes the profound interdependence of objects, individuals, forces, and environments within continuously shifting networks. Mohri’s creations highlight the inherent fragility and intricate connections within these technological, ecological, and social frameworks, offering a deeper understanding of our interwoven existence. Her recent experience at the Venice Biennale further broadened her perspective, leading her to introduce new, exploratory works for the Santander presentation, embodying her belief in continuous transformation rather than a pursuit of definitive artistic resolution.

Ultimately, Mohri hopes that attendees depart her exhibition with a refreshed perspective on their everyday world. Her goal is not to provide conclusive answers but to cultivate a heightened awareness of the subtle, underlying energies woven into the fabric of daily life. For Mohri, the greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that her art encourages visitors to perceive their ordinary surroundings with a renewed sense of wonder and attention.