% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama by Puddle

Kyoto, Japan

% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama | Puddle | photography : Takumi Ota

% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama | Puddle | photography : Takumi Ota

 

DESIGN NOTE

  • unique plan that maximiSes the value of the river view

  • A cafe where the baristas catch customers' eyes

 

JP

photography : Takumi Ota

words : Reiji Yamakura/IDREIT

 
 

A tiny coffee stand ‘% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama’ was designed as 2nd branch in Japan by Masaki Kato, a director of Tokyo-based design studio Puddle in 2015. Kato also designed their first venue in Japan at Higashiyama, Kyoto in 2014.

The Arashiyama branch is located along the Katsura River and is in a great location where customer can see the famous landmark Togetsukyo Bridge from inside the store. They renovated 40-year-old small arbour into a cozy coffee stand. The designer Kato said, “The first thing we thought was to figure out who should benefit from this fantastic view. We built the coffee counter in the best position with the beautiful river view, because we believe that the comfort of the workers leads the superb service and outstanding customer experience.”

The espresso machine, stockyard, roasting machine and small seating were efficiently arranged in the store, which is about 30 square meters in size. With the unique outdoor bench seatings, Puddle created a considered elevation plan that maximises the value of the location, taking into account views and safety.

The design language of the global brand ‘% ARABICA’, which evokes a sense of Japanese aesthetics through its materiality and the simple composition, has its origins in the two stores in Kyoto and the pop-up in the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art.

 

DETAIL

Puddle use carefully polished terrazzo for the coffee counter.

Puddle use carefully polished terrazzo for the coffee counter.

The glass case was supported by legs that connects seamlessly with the mortar floor.

The glass case was supported by legs that connects seamlessly with the mortar floor.

Puddle created a built-in style tube amplifier into the natural wooden fit-out.

Puddle created a built-in style tube amplifier into the natural wooden fit-out.

Speakers were installed on the Japanese cypress Hinoki-made wall.

Speakers were installed on the Japanese cypress Hinoki-made wall.

Unique bench seatings were build for customers who want to have a cup of coffee with the amazing view. The designer considered the elevation plan to maximise the location.

Unique bench seatings were build for customers who want to have a cup of coffee with the amazing view. The designer considered the elevation plan to maximise the location.

Embedded brass-made “ % ” sign plate of the outdoor stairs.

Embedded brass-made “ % ” sign plate of the outdoor stairs.

 

CREDIT + INFO

Name: % ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama

Designer: Masaki Kato, Elson Lin / Puddle 

Lighting Plan: ModuleX

Construction: &S co.,ltd.


Location: 3-47 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Owner: ASIAMIX Limited

Completion date: 2015

Floor area: 32.9 sqm

Mateials: 

exterior wall/ white plaster

roof/copper plate

floor/polished mortar

wall/ Hinoki cypress

counter/ white terrazzo

furniture/ hot rolled steel, Hinoki cypress

lighting/ModuleX

 

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