Fusing cultures, ancient and modern, the JM Cafe in Beijing enlivens the public realm

After years of government-led urban renewal initiatives—including the transformation of traditional courtyard houses into active public spaces—the old city zone surrounding the White Pagoda Temple in Beijing, China, is bustling with visitors and is a hub for city walk culture. Among the numerous restaurants and cafes that now populate the Xicheng District, where the White Pagoda Temple is located, JM Cafe, a coffee and bakery shop that overlooks a public square, contributes to enlivening the neighbourhood. Renovated by B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio, a Beijing-based Japanese architecture practice run by Yoko Fujii and Shuhei Aoyama, the cafe thrives on a unique mix of residential and commercial areas that characterise the urban fabric.

The Chinese architects visualised an experiential journey for the hospitality design, which begins as people pass through a hutong (a narrow lane in a traditional residential area of a Chinese city), eventually stumbling upon the vibrant public square. In addition to the ground level, the cafe provides seating on the terrace that, per the design team, "allows people to perceive the city’s pulse during the walking experience."

A composite assemblage of cuboidal forms, the facade design commands attention without standing out from its surroundings. The all-encompassing use of grey-toned materials, from bricks and stone to stainless steel, adds a touch of contemporary design against the historical backdrop while visually aligning with the surroundings. The architects used materiality as a spatial and visual distinction device, thoughtfully enveloping architectural elements and surfaces. The stainless steel surface on the facade identifies the kitchen area that extends over the entire volume, finished in a radial gradient—frosted at the corners and mirrored at the centre—reflecting the surrounding public space and attracting passersby. A portion of the facade marked by a large glazed floor-to-ceiling window makes space for an outdoor seating area and doubles as a threshold between the street and the interiors

An array of original wooden columns dominates the outdoors and the indoors, exhibiting a staggered, layered look, subtly segregating the monotonous and continuous seating areas. Featuring flooring and in-built furniture clad in grey stone tiles against the backdrop of grey bricks, the cafe dissolves the boundaries between architecture and interior design. The seating areas feature minimal design interventions that do not take away from the visual impact of the built form, utilising grey cushions to define seats and backrests on solid stone platforms. At the deepest part of the cafe, a skylight draws in natural light, complemented by large plants that bring vibrancy and a visual relief from the otherwise monotonous space. A staircase through the rear door leads the visitors to the terrace, where they can immerse themselves in the rhythmic socio-cultural atmosphere of the neighbourhood. The terrace features a combination of built-in and loose furniture, making the arrangement more flexible than the indoors, with a staggered column that rises as a sculpture, in dialogue with the temple.

Numerous details in the cafe design contribute to creating a cohesive visual identity. A fixed glass window is embedded into the wall along the narrow alleyway, highlighting the character of the bricks with its asymmetrical geometry that mimics a broken wall, evoking curiosity among the passersby. Frosted acrylic light boxes on the ceiling, detailed with square grids, complement the flooring and amplify the linearity of the space. The kitchen, display and service counter continue the design language of the seating areas, featuring small cuboidal C along with the acrylic boxes. Reflecting elements of the facade, these areas feature sleek and modern stainless steel furniture and maintain the monotonous tones of the interiors.

The amalgamation of traditional and contemporary cues resonates from the small details in the cafe to the entire neighbourhood. Despite the similarity in the colour palette of the space and the surrounding public realm, the use of distinct textures and finishes establishes visual and functional hierarchy within the built environment. Through thoughtful spatial layering and streamlined flow of movement, the architects have crafted a contextual design that responds to the historical significance of the site while catering to the modern socio-cultural landscape.

Project Details

Name: JM Café, White Pagoda Temple in Beijing
Location: No.30, Dongcha, Gongmenkou, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Architects: B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio
Site Area: 105 sq m
Gross Area: 210 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024