Dark gable exteriors meet warm interiors to create a unique café experience

In the picturesque beachside town of Chonburi in Thailand, Harudot Café seamlessly blends nature, culture and architectural innovation. Designed by Bangkok-based IDIN Architects, this stand-alone café is not just a place to grab a coffee, it's a destination in itself, offering a unique experience that seamlessly integrates the identity of its collaborators. Coffee shops like this, thoughtfully designed and environmentally conscious, provide havens for ‘slow living,’ offering cosy atmospheres that encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Intelligently crafted spaces invite patrons to savour their coffee, engage in meaningful conversations, or simply unwind. These environments promote a healthier pace of life, fostering connection, creativity and a break from the frenetic pace of modernity.

Born out of a collaboration between Nana Coffee Roasters and the site owner, with a passion for distinctive plants, the cafe brings the idea of slow living to life. Aptly named Harudot, it brings together nature and innovation. “Haru”, meaning ‘spring’ in Japanese symbolises new beginnings and growth and "dot," represents a starting point.

The name aptly exemplifies the heart of Harudot's design narrative and conceptual design, which is centred around growth and renewal. This narrative unfolds through the ingenious incorporation of a bottle tree (baobab) strategically placed in an inner courtyard. The Thai architectural design gracefully embraces this tree, with the gable form of the building delicately pulled apart to accommodate its upward growth. This creative integration gives the impression that the baobab seed was planted within the structure, evolving and flourishing over time, embodying the essence of a new beginning.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, Harudot's brand identity exudes humble simplicity and meticulous attention to detail. The exterior features three elegant gable forms in a striking black hue. The interior design of the café is in stark contrast to this dark exterior. The pine wood walls of the interior create a light and inviting atmosphere. As guests step inside this hospitality architecture, they are greeted by a space that seamlessly morphs and curves, leading them into a dynamic and memorable environment that evokes a sense of wonder and exploration.

The building is thoughtfully divided into small sections, each serving a distinct purpose. This includes a bar, coffee drinking zone, lounge, meeting room and restrooms. This careful division of space and activity creates an intimate and human-scale environment within the large and imposing structure. The grand gable roofs of each section are artfully separated at strategic points, allowing the tree to extend through voids towards the sky, creating captivating semi-outdoor spaces that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior. These voids infuse the space with natural light and ventilation and foster a profound connection with nature, enriching the overall café experience for the visitors.

The Barrisol stretch ceilings extend the design narrative by using delicately diffused lighting that casts a warm and inviting glow throughout the space. The seating arrangement is reminiscent of a continuous ribbon. It wraps around the interior, varying in height to accommodate different functions and activities. The seating area extends outside, thus connecting the interiors and the guests with the surrounding nature. The exterior seating echoes the café's ethos around sustainability. The seating is crafted from a blend of resin, coffee grounds, rice and leaves, making it a statement setting that is aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious.

This meticulous attention to detail can be seen in every aspect of the cafe's design, including its graphic elements. Custom-designed fonts and signage inspired by circular dots and the spring season adorn the space. The terrazzo flooring, with its embedded quotes and playful flower petal pattern, invites visitors to explore and uncover hidden treasures within the café.

In essence, Harudot Café is more than just a place to enjoy a cup of coffee; it's a destination that celebrates the beauty of new beginnings, the richness of culture and the harmony between architecture and nature. With its thoughtful design, attention to detail and immersive experience, the cafe invites guests to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, where every visit promises a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of wonder.

Project Details

Name: Harudot Cafe By Nana Coffee Roasters
Location: Chonburi, Thailand
Completion: 2023
Architects: IDIN Architects
Landscape Architect: Youkubdin
Contractor: Wimutti Construction Limited Partnership