Various Associates has designed a cafe and cocktail bar in Shenzhen, China, which is lined with wooden cladding and furniture to emulate a small cosy cabin.
The 75-square-metre cafe, which nestles amongst offices and apartment buildings, was commissioned by a group of young locals to offer the community respite from fast-paced city life.
Shenzhen studio Various Associates used wood as the primary material for the cafe to contrast with its concrete surroundings, helping to establish the cafe as a sanctuary.
Top image: it is intended to evoke a cabin. Above: the C2 Cafe & Bar is lined with wood.
"[The client] wanted to create a suitable, semi-private place with a unique style for mainly young people, as well as build a new brand for their cocktail and coffee bar with casual dining," the studio told Dezeen. "Our concept is a 'cabin in the city', so the materials are warm and light colours, in order to create a cottage-like space."
Outdoor seating is sheltered by an overhanging wooden roof
Outside, the cafe is distinguished by large wooden panels and signage, teamed with black-painted walls that complement the adjacent buildings.
A wood-lined, overhanging roof adorned with spherical lights is used to shelter an outdoor seating area that wraps around the cafe.
Wood also lines the interiors of the cafe
Despite the small size of the cafe, Various Associates managed to incorporate a kitchen, bar counter, public seating area and private dining room inside.
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